On-site measurements of temperature and humidity conditions for the comparison of urban and rural sub-spaces of traditional settlements: historical city of Mugla, Turkey

Abstract

One of the significant processes that ensures realistic determination of the energy needs of historical buildings is case-specific definition of their local microclimatic conditions. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to determine differences for the parameters of temperature and humidity in urban and rural sub-settlements of the historical city, Mugla/Turkey. Study method consists of on-site measurements of these variables in sub-settlements for comparisons. As a result, it was identified urban zone shows heat island characteristics with warmer, drier, and more stable conditions; while rural sub-settlement remains cooler, more humid, and more erratic. In parallel, calculated extents of these differences demonstrate the significance and necessity of on-site measurements and consequential microclimatic zoning of historical cities as conservation/planning tools for responding to the thermal needs of architectural heritage. A key application of these processes would be the establishment of local databases of case-specific weather data to be used in thermal simulation assessments.