Tall buildings are becoming the prevailing urban building type, yet little research has been conducted on the way they affect their immediate environment. This includes energy efficiency, shadows cast, wind deflection, even pollutant concentrations. On the other hand, the different levels of a tall building are exposed to a climate changing with height above ground. Whereas in theory this includes dropping air temperature and increasing wind velocity with height, in reality such effects may be significantly different due to the interrelations between adjacent buildings, and between them and their urban context.
This paper will present ongoing research spreading over several years. The research focuses on Tel Aviv where a massive skyward development is taking place as part of the new policy and city plan. Tools and methods include thermal and energy simulations, on-ground and along height monitoring of micro-climatic parameters, pollutant concentrations monitoring, questionnaire based surveys on thermal perception etc.
Research results have numerous implications, among them appropriate building design for energy conservation, as well as appropriate building and cluster design promoting public open spaces usability and pedestrian comfort.
