Comparative Study of Energy Role in Urban Morphology with an Emphasis on the Formation of Spatial Structure (Case Studies: Tehran and Berlin)

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

1 Department of Urban planning, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Urban planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Faculty of Art and Architecture, Science and research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Urban Planning, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Today, topics related to climate change and energy have found a special place in urban studies. Both issues complement each other, because less energy consumption, especially non-renewable energy, can produce fewer greenhouse gases and, on a larger scale, reduce their impact on climate change. In this regard, the main purpose of the present study is to extract an optimal thermal energy model based on urban morphology that can help to analyze comparatively the urban typo morphology in the most appropriate way and provide policies for observing the basic concepts. This study is analytical descriptive research and in terms of purpose is applied research. Library research, data extraction from the database, and data creation by relevant software were used to collect data. Then, using dimensions and indicators extracted, figure-ground maps  with  certain  measures  were  provided.  Finally,  out  of  25  different  types  of  building  configurations recognized in Berlin and Tehran, five common Morpho-type were selected to be simulated and evaluated by using purification technique According to the results, the typo-morphological samples selected from each city had different behavior as to the amount of thermal energy and the configurations with higher density indicated  better  energy  efficiency. Average  building  height,  building  density,  and  surface  area-to-volume ratio  were  recognized  as  good  criteria  for  thermal  energy  efficiency  and  had  a  positive  correlation  with thermal energy demand. As the main result of the study, some policies are presented.

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