Abstract

This thesis explores how the urban form/building design, and a well-thought-out City Master Plan can significantly affect wind patterns and enhance on-site energy generation in dense urban areas. It will examine strategies such as modifying building heights, adjusting separations between structures, shaping urban landforms, and varying the roughness of the urban fabric to optimize wind energy generation. Additionally, the research will focus on the strategic placement of community power harvesting devices. The study of the urban forms and fabric with the impact of wind patterns is simulated by fluid mechanics with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. The goal of this thesis is to prepare an informative guide to integrate planning strategies leading to an increase in on-site energy production and reduced reliance on the electric grid, ultimately reducing reliance on fossil fuels, minimizing CO2 emissions, and creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient built urban environment.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

City planning; Wind power; Computational fluid dynamics

Publication Date

12-4-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Department, Program, or Center

Architecture, Department of

College

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Advisor

Julius J. Chiavroli

Advisor/Committee Member

Seth H. Holmes

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ARCH-MARCH

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