Mediterranean Urban Morphology

Abstract

The city is a very complex system in which many parameters converge. The large number of these parameters greatly hinders not only an accurate analysis of all of them, but also the assessment of the phenomena that occur in the city and its impact on the environment. Urban planning is one of the challenges that society faces today, involving architects, planners and other social and professional stakeholders. All of them converge in a common field of energetic and ecological exchange.

The world’s population is moving towards urban areas in an increasing proportion. Consequently, these areas are becoming potential points of conflict and opportunities and, therefore, must be carefully planned. To optimize urban planning, it is essential to have a body of doctrine in both environmental and social issues, considering subjects such as energy and resources consumption, comfort and well-being.

In this context, the investigation project “MUM- Identification of Parameters Involved in Architectural Energy Efficiency is originated. This project aims to improve energy efficiency in buildings of Mediterranean cities by identifying those parameters of buildings morphology that allow to describe different urban tissues and their influence on energy demand.

Nowadays, there is a lack of urban structures parametrization systems that allow to simulate their behaviour accurately. This investigation aims to identify and define urban parameters required for a geometric description of the different urban fabrics, in order to ease an approach to environmental performance assessment.