Thermal Conditions in Urban Settlements in Hot Arid Regions: The Case of Ksar Tafilelt, Ghardaia, Algeria

This research investigates the influence of natural ventilation on the indoor thermal environment in the residential vernacular architecture of Ghardaia. The research was performed through a field study investigation during thehot summer period. The investigation included similar natural ventilation strategies, i.e. daytime, full-day and night-time ventilation. Two settlements, one historic and traditional and one contemporary but described as an “eco-city”, have been examined using field measurements and computer modelling. field air temperature and the relative humidity were measured using data loggers were the primary measurements taken in the field, comparing street's air temperature it was found the in Tafilalet was 4k higher than beni Isguen, over one week and computer modelling of the settlements was conducted using VI-Suite software. The main part of the paper assesses the indoor comfort trends and implications of urban form, with a particular reference to the effect of varying density and presents strategic findings. It calls for continued research and development, particularly in the field of modelling the urban microclimate as a function of design. The results show that natural night ventilation in the traditional settlement is the most effective strategy for passive cooling in vernacular dwellings during the hot summer period.