In the sweltering heat of Egypt’s arid climate, finding a comfortable spot outdoors can be a challenge. But what if the solution to this problem lay in the strategic placement of trees? That’s the question Ahmed Maged, a landscape architect at AE7, set out to answer in a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study, titled “Generative design optimization of tree distribution for enhanced thermal comfort in communal spaces with special reference to hot arid climates,” explores how AI-driven design tools can help create more comfortable outdoor spaces.
Maged’s research focuses on three types of neighborhoods in Madinaty, New Cairo: fully clustered with buildings, semi-clustered, and fully open. The goal? To optimize tree distribution for better thermal comfort. The process involves a simulation-based analysis in three phases. First, the current environment is analyzed. Then, a generative design tool with a Dynamo evolutionary algorithm is used to optimize tree distribution. Finally, thermal comfort is tested using Grasshopper and Ladybug simulation to assess the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) between the base case scenarios and the optimized scenarios.
So, what did Maged find? Well, the results speak for themselves. In the clustered neighborhood, the optimized design with 33 trees resulted in a lower UTCI (with an arithmetic mean of 37.55 °C) compared to the base case with 43 trees (38 °C). In the semi-clustered neighborhood, the optimized design with 45 trees highly improves the UTCI (38.01 °C), compared with the base case with 27 trees (39.40 °C). Even in the fully open neighborhood, the optimized design with 25 trees achieved a slightly improved UTCI (39.55 °C) over the base case of 31 trees (39.60 °C). “These applications, help designers in solving multi-objective design quandaries through the generation and evaluation of numerous design options,” Maged explains.
But what does this mean for the maritime sector? Well, think about it. Port cities often struggle with heat, especially in arid regions. By optimizing tree distribution in communal spaces, ports can create more comfortable environments for workers and visitors alike. This could lead to increased productivity, better worker satisfaction, and even more foot traffic in port-side communities. Plus, with the rise of smart cities, AI-driven design tools like the ones used in Maged’s study could become a staple in urban planning, including in maritime settings.
Moreover, the maritime industry is no stranger to the use of AI and simulation tools. From predicting weather patterns to optimizing ship routes, AI is already playing a significant role. So, it’s not a far stretch to imagine AI-driven design tools being used to create more comfortable and efficient port cities.
Maged’s study, published in Scientific Reports, is a step in that direction. It shows that AI-driven design tools can indeed help create more comfortable outdoor spaces, even in the harshest of climates. And while the study focuses on land-based communities, the principles could easily be applied to maritime settings. So, the next time you’re in a port city, look around. You might just see the future of urban planning in action.