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2021 Vol.41, Issue 3 Preview Page

Research Article

Adaptive Thermal Comfort of Planned Low-income Housing of a Developing Country: Case of Kigali, Rwanda
Irakoze Amina1
,
Young-A Lee2
,
Kee Han Kim3*
1PhD Student, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Ulsan
2Adjunct Professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Ulsan
3Assistant Professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Ulsan
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2021. pp. 125-137
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Abstract

Global warming is expected to raise the average temperature of the tropical region by up to 3–4°C in the next 70 years. Due to the vulnerable living conditions that are predominant in most developing countries in the region, this will dramatically affect the indoor thermal performance of exclusively, naturally ventilated buildings that form the majority of residential buildings in less-industrialized nations. In addition, the lack of knowledge about the built environment and thermal comfort design guidelines may significantly affect locals’ health and well-being, especially among low-income groups. This study evaluates the thermal performance of low- income housing that were constructed as a governmentsponsored project for urban revitalization in Kigali, Rwanda. Dynamic thermal simulations are carried out through EnergyPlus software using the DesignBuilder program as user interface. Annual discomfort hours and discomfort degree-days are calculated using the ASHRAE 55 adaptive comfort model. The results indicate poor thermal environmental conditions in this planned low-income housing structure. Indoor operative temperature is outside the adaptive comfort range for about 70% of time annually with 955.3 discomfort degree-days. The roof was found to be the key element causing indoor temperature to exceed the upper comfort temperature threshold, while wall material mostly influenced indoor temperature below the lower comfort temperature limit.

Keywords
Indoor thermal comfort
Adaptive comfort
Low-income housing
DesignBuilder
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Solar Energy Society
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회 논문집
  • Volume : 41
  • No :3
  • Pages :125-137
  • Received Date : 2021-04-07
  • Revised Date : 2021-05-11
  • Accepted Date : 2021-06-02
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7836/kses.2021.41.3.125
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