ABSTRACT
The aim of ventilation is to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment or even to cool buildings with the minimum energy consumption. However, the consequences of ventilation might not be always beneficial, especially when fresh air is supplied from the urban environment. Because of the specific urban characteristics, the potential of natural ventilation can be seriously decreased mainly due to reduced wind speeds, variation in wind directions, high ambient temperatures and increased external pollutant and noise levels. Besides, the impact of ventilation on indoor air quality is a topic of major concern. Especially in urban buildings, indoor air quality is characterized by considerable interest since heavily polluted outdoor air penetrates the building shell and influences indoor air. Except for outdoor pollution, indoor sources and anthropogenic activities such as tobacco smoking may have a greater impact on personal exposure.
This chapter is focused on the experimental investigation of the impact of the urban environment on the effectiveness of natural and hybrid ventilation, since the efficient design of these ventilation systems is determinant for thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy savings.
