Urban design morphology and thermal performance

Climate specialists provide us today with much data on urban climatology; but it is urban design professionals who need to apply and translate this data into a design tool. This paper summarizes an urban design view of the relationship between urban design morphology and the thermal performance of the city. Its message: is that each climatic region necessitates a distinct urban form and configuration which can contribute to make a city or neighborhood cooler or warmer, as is needed. It is the urban designerʹs responsibility to provide these forms based on the study of the character of the local climate.