Integrating Field Measurements and Simulation Analysis to Evaluate the Influence of Urban Building Configuration on Near-Surface Wind Fields

In response to the intensifying Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, enhancing urban ventilation has become a key strategy for mitigating elevated temperatures. Urban microclimates are strongly influenced by building height and spacing, which can induce substantial changes in local wind environments. However, most previous studies focus on ground-level ventilation, with limited systematic investigation of mid-to-low elevation zones (6–24 m).

This study combines field measurements at three social housing sites in Taipei City with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to quantify ventilation rates and identify key design parameters. Standardized building models with three heights (25 m, 46 m, 61 m) and five spacing intervals （3 m、6 m、12 m、15 m、18 m） were analyzed to evaluate airflow variations across multiple vertical sections. Observational data from the Central Weather Administration (CWA) were used to define background wind and boundary conditions.

Results indicate significant interactions between building height and spacing in shaping vertical wind speed. Wind speed at 2 m above ground increases with building height due to downwash effects, but at 24 m height, wind speed decreases as height increases and spacing narrows. Wider spacing enhances ventilation coverage: at 25 m, it expands zones with wind speed ≥ 2.5 m/s, while at 46 m it improves basic zones with wind speed ≥ 0.5 m/s. High-rise, narrow-spacing configurations suppress mid-to-upper-level airflow, reducing overall ventilation rates.

CFD simulations using Flow Designer achieved an R² of up to 0.96 between building spacing and ventilation rate, indicating strong correlation. Future work will employ Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to capture transient wind field dynamics and integrate vegetation-based environmental adaptation strategies. These findings provide practical guidance for social housing and urban planning in dense urban areas, enhancing microclimate comfort and building energy efficiency.