Architecture and Urban Climates

The seminar highlights the notion of “urban climate“ and its manyfold implications for architecture and urban planning since the beginning of the 20th century. Due to its man-made character, the city climate differs fundamentally from the natural climate. By looking at the historical emergence of this concept and the complex adaptation in the field of architecture and urban planning, a robust architectural knowledge for today’s discussions on the so called “urban heat island effect” shall be provided. After an introduction into the history of urban climatology and climate-related architecture, case studies and methods with particular relevance for architects will be addressed. During an excursion in the city of Milan different aspects of urban microclimates and their architectural interpretations will be highlighted.