ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0415-8246
Current Organisation
Università degli Studi di Genova
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-10-2021
DOI: 10.3390/SU132111638
Abstract: The urban heat island (UHI) effect is among the most critical issues caused by human activities and high building density. UHI has severe impacts on the urban and natural environment as well as on human health and wellbeing. The research presented here aims at evaluating the effects of nature-based solutions (NBS) in improving the livability of a district in the city of Genoa, which is heavily cemented and a major ex le of the heat island phenomenon. This study focuses on the microclimatic benefits of urban heat island mitigation as well as on psychological and perceptual aspects. A preliminary analysis of the district through CFD simulations using Envi-met software allowed for selection of the most suitable areas for a system of punctual interventions in urban regeneration using nature-based solutions. For each area identified, we simulated the effects of different design scenarios on microclimate mitigation and thermal comfort improvement. In addition, to evaluate the perceptual benefits of the most well-performing design scenarios, we set up a web-based survey that was administered to a convenience s le of Genoa residents. In terms of aesthetic satisfaction and perception of improved conditions of physical and psychological well-being, the preferred design outcomes were those which emphasized a freer and more natural environment. This study shows that nature-based solutions can improve the overall conditions of dense urban areas microclimate performance and psychological effects should be both considered in the design process in order to improve the wellbeing of urban citizens.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
Date: 2011
Publisher: WIT Press
Date: 05-09-2012
DOI: 10.2495/ARC120221
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2013
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-10-2023
DOI: 10.3390/SU152115480
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-05-2022
DOI: 10.3390/SU14105847
Abstract: Dense urban areas are facing relevant issues related to their high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and ecosystem health. The study presents a case study of a regeneration project with Nature-based Solutions in the city of Genoa (Italy) and, more specifically, in a neighbourhood characterised by relevant health and well-being issues. The performances of three design scenarios for a city hotspot, including plant species selected with a systemic approach and light pavements, are analysed in terms of improved microclimate by means of the ENVI-met software V4.4.5. The results show different benefits on the microclimate compared to the current state depending on the different scenarios: A UTCI decrease from 4.1 °C to 5.4 °C, a reduction of mean radiant temperature from 12.3 °C to 17.3 °C, a relative humidity increase from 3.8% to 5.6%, and a progressive decrease in wind speed are detected in a directly proportional way to the gradual increase in greenery inside the scenarios. In reverse, better results for air temperatures are detected for the scenario with less greening (Δt = 1.8 °C). The study relies on the re-parametrisation of plant species characteristics in the ENVI-met database to reach a high level of accuracy.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-01-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: International Information and Engineering Technology Association
Date: 31-03-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
Publisher: Macrothink Institute, Inc.
Date: 23-03-2017
Abstract: The present paper aims at highlighting the connections between the environmental assessment of urban planning and building design activities at different scales. Environmental assessment is a multi-scale and inter/trans disciplinary process, which considers the city through an ecological approach. Environmental assessment includes different tools depending on the planning and design phase, with links and overlaps but also with contradictions. Four different evaluation fields are discussed - land use, water management, local resources, energy - also concerning the case of two Environmental Reports for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes of municipal urban plans for two Italian municipalities, Vado Ligure and Altare. The analysis of case studies shows that SEA is not always an effective tool for strategic urban planning, as it includes similar assessment criteria to building scale ones, causing overlaps and contradictions.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2017
Publisher: David Publishing Company
Date: 28-06-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-04-2021
DOI: 10.3390/SU13094886
Abstract: Urban greening provides a wide range of ecosystem services to address the main challenges of urban areas, e.g., carbon sequestration, evapotranspiration and shade, thermal insulation, and pollution control. This study evaluates the environmental sustainability of a vertical greening system (VGS) built in 2014 in Italy, for which extensive monitoring activities were implemented. The life-cycle assessment methodology was applied to quantify the water–energy–climate nexus of the VGS for 1 m2 of the building’s wall surface. Six different scenarios were modelled according to three different end-of-life scenarios and two different useful lifetime scenarios (10 and 25 years). The environmental impact of global-warming potential and generated energy consumption during the use phase in the VGS scenarios were reduced by 56% in relation to the baseline scenario (wall without VGS), and showed improved environmental performance throughout the complete life cycle. However, the water-scarcity index (WSI) of the VGS scenarios increased by 42%. This study confirms that the installation of VGSs offers a relevant environmental benefit in terms of greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumption however, increased water consumption in the use phase may limit the large-scale application of VGSs.
Publisher: American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Date: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
Date: 2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-09-2016
Publisher: Canadian Center of Science and Education
Date: 30-03-2012
DOI: 10.5539/IJB.V4N2P79
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-05-2019
Abstract: A wide diffusion of green envelopes in cities can be an opportunity to improve urban environment conditions and reduce negative effects of climate change. The green roof system is a widespread solution adopted all over the world due to the relative simplicity of installation and the large private and social benefits provided. Despite this, some factors hinder the diffusion of the green roof system, not only economic factors (due to the higher installation costs compare to a traditional roof solution), but also technical factors connected to lack of knowledge. The present paper investigates the factors influencing designers in the choice of a building roof systems, comparing a traditional solution and a greening system. The involvement of architects, engineers, and researchers allows the selection of the most important factors. Results of the study identifies their priority, and through a sustainability-based multicriteria analysis, the role played by each one in the decision process. This approach provides interesting hints to identify effective strategies to support a wider diffusion of greening systems for urban resilience.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2013
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-12-2022
DOI: 10.1002/PAN3.10411
Abstract: Research is revealing an increasing number of positive effects of nature for humans. At the same time, bio ersity in cities, where most humans live, is often low or in decline. Tangible solutions are needed to increase urban bio ersity. Architecture is a key discipline that has considerable influence on the built‐up area of cities, thereby influencing urban bio ersity. In general, architects do not design for bio ersity. Conversely, urban conservation planning generally focuses on the limited space free of buildings and does not embrace architecture as an important discipline for the creation of urban green infrastructure. In this paper, we argue that the promotion of bio ersity needs to become a key driving force of architectural design. This requires a new multi‐species design paradigm that considers both human and non‐human needs. Such a design approach needs to maintain the standards of the architectural profession, including the aim to increase the well‐being of humans in buildings. Yet, it also needs to add other stakeholders, organisms such as animals, plants and even microbiota. New buildings designed for humans and other inhabitants can then increase bio ersity in cities and also increase the benefits that humans can derive from close proximity to nature. We review the challenges that this new design approach poses for both architecture and ecology and show that multi‐species‐design goes beyond existing approaches in architecture and ecology. The new design approach needs to make ecological knowledge available to the architectural design process, enabling practitioners to find architectural solutions that can facilitate synergies from a multi‐species perspective. We propose that a first step in creating such a multi‐species habitat is the design of buildings with an ecolope , a multi criteria‐designed building envelope that takes into account the needs of erse organisms. Because there is no framework to design such an ecolope , we illustrate how multi‐species design needs to draw on knowledge from ecology, as well as architecture, and design computation. We discuss how architectures designed via a multi‐species approach can be an important step in establishing beneficial human–nature relationships in cities, and contribute to human well‐being and bio ersity conservation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2011
Location: Italy
Location: Germany
Location: Italy
Start Date: 2014
End Date: 2014
Funder: Fulbright Commission
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2021
End Date: 2025
Funder: HORIZON EUROPE Innovative Europe
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2020
End Date: 2021
Funder: Compagnia di San Paolo
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2020
End Date: 2022
Funder: Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2017
End Date: 2021
Funder: European Regional Development Fund
View Funded Activity