Title: Recent advancements in numerical modelling of flow and dispersion in urban areas: a short review

Authors: Silvana Di Sabatino; Riccardo Buccolieri; Pietro Salizzoni

Addresses: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy ' Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy ' Laboratoire de Mécanique des Fluides et d'Acoustique, UMR CNRS 5509, University of Lyon Ecole Centrale de Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I,36, avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France

Abstract: This paper reviews recent findings in the field of flow and pollutant dispersion modelling around buildings and within complex urban geometries. Complexity is not only associated to the packing density of buildings, but originates also from building-height variability, buoyancy effects close to the building walls, traffic-produced turbulence and from the presence of vegetation. Recent results are discussed in light of progress made in operational urban dispersion models as a way forward for the application of those models in real scenarios.

Keywords: atmospheric flow; pollutant dispersion; city breathability; urban models; environmental pollution; air pollution; air quality; numerical modelling; flow modelling; dispersion modelling; urban areas; complexity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2013.058454

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2013 Vol.52 No.3/4, pp.172 - 191

Received: 04 Apr 2013
Accepted: 02 Aug 2013
Published online: 28 Feb 2014 *

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