Microclimate Assessment and Outdoor Human Comfort Enhancement of a Historic Village in Sardinia, Italy

Giulia Cherchi, Alessandro Santus, Donatella Rita Fiorino and Simone Ferrari
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Giulia Cherchi: Department of Science of Antiquities, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Alessandro Santus: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Italy
Donatella Rita Fiorino: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Italy
Simone Ferrari: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Italy

Urban Planning, 2025, vol. 10

Abstract: In Sardinia (Italy), more than 80% of municipalities have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants and are affected by progressive depopulation. The abandonment of traditional production systems has disrupted the synergy between the built environment and its geographic, topographic, and climatic context, accelerating the decline of these villages. Despite this, many of these settlements retain a recognisable historical urban fabric and traditional architectural features. Among them, the village of Osidda was selected as a case study. Although its urban structure remains intact, recent interventions, including the addition of new buildings, materials, and paving, have compromised its original character. These changes, combined with climate change, have increased outdoor thermal discomfort, contributing to depopulation. To address this, the research employs the urban microclimate design methodology, which integrates architectural and microclimatic analysis and design. A stratigraphic urban study and mapping of traditional buildings were conducted using QGIS, forming the basis for simulations with the ENVI‐met software (first aim). A typical critical summer day was simulated, and outdoor thermal comfort was assessed using the Predicted Mean Vote index, with elderly females as the reference case (second aim). On this basis, mitigation strategies (sun sails and pergolas, with and without water sprays) were tested through dedicated simulations (third aim). Results highlight the significant role of solar radiation and confirm the effectiveness of shading interventions. The study proposes an integrated methodology to enhance outdoor thermal comfort and to support heritage conservation strategies, fostering sustainable urban reactivation and social cohesion in historical villages.

Keywords: heritage conservation; outdoor thermal comfort; small historical villages; urban landscape (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:urbpla:v10:y:2025:a:10708

DOI: 10.17645/up.10708

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