Microscale urban climate simulations: opportunities and challenges

Abstrakt

ZÁKLADNÍ ÚDAJE: Urban-M4 Symposium: Integrating Urban Morphology for Weather Modelling – A Vision for 2030. 24.02.2025-25.02.2025, Wageningen. ABSTRAKT: This keynote addressed recent advances and open questions in microscale urban climate modeling, with a focus on turbulent-resolving simulations. The motivation for such approaches was outlined through a brief review of existing models, emphasizing the PALM model as a central example. Core modeling principles were presented, including large-eddy simulation dynamics, surface energy balance, and radiative processes. Requirements in terms of computational demand and input data were discussed, with a particular focus on the sensitivity of simulations to data quality and the challenges of obtaining detailed urban datasets. Selected applications illustrated the model’s utility in studies of thermal comfort, air quality, and urban climate statistics, highlighting the importance of validation. The keynote concluded with a forward-looking perspective on methodological developments and integration with urban planning.