Author(s)

A. Savvides

Abstract

Vernacular settlements, especially ones that have been established around nodes of habitation, tend to be especially well acclimated to their natural habitat and the prevalent ecological considerations of their specific locations. The paper examines the spatial and bioclimatic considerations that are embedded in the formulation of open spaces for collective use in a major thoroughfare, Makariou, in the capital region of the island-country of Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean. The climatic context of Cyprus is indicative of the broader geographical region of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. For purposes of comparative analysis, existing and proposed redevelopment conditions are juxtaposed, to visualize and quantify conditions of thermal and visual user comfort by varying the materials palette and landscape accessorization of the site in question. The results are based on an environmental simulation using Ecotect by Autodesk and a discussion of the findings aims at examining inherent conditions that account for user comfort in such locales, as well as evaluating aspects of sustainable design in existing open spaces and the potential to transfer lessons learned in contemporary design practices.

Keywords