Improving Wind Environment in Low-Rise Residential Areas of Bangi-Dong, Seoul: Enhancing Natural Ventilation Performance Through CFD Simulation

Ho-Jeong Kim (), Ran-Hee Gil and Min-Seong Ko
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Ho-Jeong Kim: Division of Architecture, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Republic of Korea
Ran-Hee Gil: Division of Architecture, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Republic of Korea
Min-Seong Ko: Division of Architecture, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-41

Abstract: This study addresses inadequate natural ventilation in low-rise residential areas of Bangi-dong, Seoul, where 46.2% of the area experiences wind stagnation below 0.3 m/s due to buildings being spaced less than 2 m apart. Using SimScale CFD with LBM and 13 million grids, multiple urban configurations were simulated to analyze how building orientation, spacing, and height affect pedestrian-level (1.5 m) wind flow. Results show that simple open space expansion yields minimal improvement (5–7%), while strategic interventions achieve significant effects. Connecting open spaces to main roads via 35 m × 45 m corridors increases wind speed by 20.4%, perpendicular building orientation with 12-story buildings improves wind speed by 166.67%, 6 m building spacing enhances ventilation (with a 57.80% improvement), and a continuous 12-story building arrangement along roads achieves a 59.73% improvement. While statistical validation requires future field measurements, the significant improvements (17–167%) demonstrate clear practical benefits. The study proposes four design guidelines: prioritize open space-road connectivity; orient buildings perpendicular to prevailing winds (WNW) with 6 m spacing; implement selective high-rise development (8–12 stories at ventilation nodes); and adopt incremental redevelopment strategies. These findings demonstrate that significant environmental improvements are achievable without costly total redevelopment, providing a replicable model for similar high-density, low-rise areas. The research contributes by establishing a quantitative framework for assessing low-speed wind stagnation zones, previously overlooked in wind environment standards.

Keywords: urban wind environment; Computational Fluid Dynamics; natural ventilation; Urban Sustainability; urban design; pedestrian comfort (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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