Ricardo Barbosa, Romeu Vicente and Rui Santos
This paper aims to investigate vulnerability factors that influence thermal comfort in residential buildings in the context of climate change and variability, as well as adaptive…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate vulnerability factors that influence thermal comfort in residential buildings in the context of climate change and variability, as well as adaptive strategies that can be adopted. There is a need for research that systematically addresses factors influencing thermal comfort in the context of climate change.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a vulnerability framework, this paper reviews existing literature to identify factors driving impacts to comfort, as well as strategies to increase adaptive capacity in buildings. Data were collected from several sources including international organizations, scientific journals and government authorities, following an initial Web-based subject search using Boolean operators.
Findings
Significant impacts can be expected in terms of thermal comfort inside buildings depending on four vulnerability factors: location; age and form; construction fabric and occupancy and behaviour. Despite the fact that the majority of the existing studies are technically driven and spatially restricted, there is strong evidence of interdependencies of scales in managing vulnerability and adaptive capacity.
Practical implications
Results from this review emphasise the importance of balance mitigation with adaptation regarding new building design and when retrofitting old buildings. The factors identified here can also be used to assist in construction of simplified tools such as a vulnerability index that helps in identifying the most vulnerable buildings and dwellings and assist in retrofit decisions.
Originality/value
The paper offers critical insight regarding implications in building design and policy in a vulnerability framework.
Details
Keywords
Tiago Miguel Ferreira, Romeu da Silva Vicente and Maurizio Indirli
J. Mendes da Silva, Romeu Vicente and Ana Cristina N. Subtil
The purpose of this paper is to report on the behaviour of the different types of façades used in the old town of Coimbra in Portugal when they are exposed to seismic activity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the behaviour of the different types of façades used in the old town of Coimbra in Portugal when they are exposed to seismic activity.
Design/methodology/approach
Over 400 façades in the uptown, and 700 in the downtown of Coimbra were surveyed to determine their material and their current state of decay. Further investigations on two specific sites were undertaken to determine the effects of seismic activity on the façades.
Findings
The paper reports on the classification of the results from the different surveys into a web‐based database. In order to achieve this classification a geographic information system (GIS) tool was used to locate the different sites under investigation.
Originality/value
This paper combines the results of an investigation into the inspection of façades in Coimbra, Portugal, with a GIS tool and database to document the results of the different surveys for seismic activity.