DEFINITION OF LOCAL CLIMATE ZONES IN RELATION TO ENVI-MET AND SITE DATA IN THE CITY OF AL AIN, UAE

The city of Al Ain, UAE has developed rapidly over the last two decades. Located in the south east of the United Arab Emirates, the origins of Al Ain were as an oasis. However, fast urban development has increased the number of built-up areas. Local climate zone (LCZ) classification provides a map of a city based on the similar properties of each zone, and WUDAPT is a network that facilitates its analysis. This approach allows developers to track the growth of the city. This study is based on satellite images and Google Earth Pro. High-definition satellite images are used to detect the specifics of each building morphology and district pattern. The new city map is then compared with the CFD models generated by ENVI-met. The models are based on site surveys and information taken from the authorities in the municipality of Al Ain, while the boundary conditions are based on information taken from local climate stations. Al Ain has a hot, arid climate with very dry, hot summers and the city is composed of desertified areas of red sand. To the east is a rocky mountain that affects the climate of the city. This study will focus on the spring and summer seasons due to the extreme changes in temperature. The outcome of this study is an analysis of the urban heat island effect (UHI). The aim is to detect problematic districts and to analyse their morphology. The widespread use of trees in the city improves the impact of the UHI, although the high speed of construction has produced dense, built-up areas. The LCZ and the results of ENVI-met simulations are used to define the levels of UHI in each zone analysed in this study.