Evaluation of the Solar Energy in Street Spaces Quality Exemplified for Famagusta

ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates on optimizing street spaces by evaluation of the solar energy exemplified for Famagusta. Quantitative and comparative research methods are used in this thesis. The focus of the thesis is on solar issues including climatic and geographic factors (radiation and land cover), and street issues consisting of orientation, H/W ratio and landscape. Then, Konak street in Sakarya district and Cahit street in Gülseren district in Famagusta, North Cyprus, are analyzed. Decisive parameters in solar energy including the sky clearness coefficient, albedo, altitude, latitude, orientation, azimuth rates are calculated based on Famagusta using Ladybug for Grasshopper in Rhino software program. On the other hand, thermal discomfort time is analyzed for both of the streets based on Stephenson`s Cosine methods using Microsoft Excel software program. Finally, it has been asserted that the poor landscape of Famagusta streets is not capable to provide sufficient shadow for sidewalks. Greenery percentage is very low, trees are planted in inappropriate areas. Poor landscape caused declining albedo value of the streets. However, H/W ratio of the streets are regular that provide direct daylight. Thermal analysis of the street orientation discovers that both Konak street and Cahit street have discomfort in summer from 14:00 to 17:00, and from 09: to 11:00 respectively. Keywords: Street space, Solar radiation, Albedo, Landscape, H/W-ratio, Shading