A study of temperature and wind distribution inside two urban street canyons in Athens

An experimental campaign was organized inside and outside two urban street canyons during summer 2002 in Athens. The experiments consisted of air, as well as, of surface temperature measurements on building walls and on asphalt street together with wind velocity measurements at different heights in the centre of canyon, near opposite building facades and outside canyon. This study presents the analysis and the conclusions regarding the variation of air and surface temperatures and the observed wind speed characteristics inside the two studied canyons. Besides, the observed differentiations of wind and temperature distribution are discussed in order to get a better sight of the urban canyon microenvironment, which has been shown to have a direct impact on the ventilation performance in urban buildings.