ABSTRACT
B Keywords – building energy simulation; coupling; energy saving; local dynamic similarity model; multi-
zone airflow network model; natural ventilation
The world population has exceeded 6 billion to date, with more than half of these living in
urban areas, and the urban population is expected to swell to almost 5 billion people by
2030 (UNFPA, 2007). Urbanization is progressing rapidly in many Asian cities. The process
of urbanization modifies land use from a natural environment into a built environment for
making new buildings (residential and commercial buildings, schools, playgrounds,
shopping malls and public facilities). Although rapidly expanding urban populations can
give rise to many advantages, such as job opportunities, education, quality living and
information technology, the high rates of population growth and continued urbanization
will also induce various problems, such as an increase in energy consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions, which affect our daily lives and, most importantly, the
environment.
