URBAN FORM AND CLIMATE - CASE-STUDY, TORONTO

This article describes a joint urban design study by the Berkeley Envi ron mental Stimulation Laboratory and the Centre for Landscape Researc h at the University of Toronto. The study analyzed the effect of futur e development in Toronto's Central Area on street-level conditions of sun, wind, and thermal comfort. The study originated in response to pu blic concern about the quality of the downtown environment and to impl ementation measures adopted by the Toronto city council in May 1993. T he research presented in this article examines the shadowing produced by downtown buildings and recommends procedures and standards for pres erving sunlight on Toronto's downtown sidewalks and open spaces. Secon d, this study considers the effects of buildings on wind conditions at street level. Third, the study evaluates the combined effects of sun and wind conditions on pedestrian comfort. Rather than focusing on jus t the effects of individual buildings, this research evaluates the cum ulative effects of area-wide development.