CEM470: Urban Microclimates and Building Energy Management

Module code: CEM470

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Christos Halios , email: c.halios@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Omid Shariati, email: o.shariati@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 1: Dr Omid Shariati, email: o.shariati@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces the basic physics as well as the up-to-date advances on the urban microclimate studies considering key concepts such as urban fluid mechanics, urban energy balance, interaction of the solar radiation with the urban form, as well as air pollution and exposure characteristics in urban areas. The interactions of the urban atmosphere with the urban form and function are evaluated in the module.

Also, the application of urban microclimate principles to guide and assess urban climate planning is addressed. The module explores the role of energy management within the context of smart buildings, a key component of modern smart energy systems. It examines the integration of IT and communication systems, sensor technologies, and user interaction, highlighting how AI systems are revolutionising energy management in buildings. The module covers fundamental concepts, objectives, associated technologies, and potential interactions with upstream energy systems. Addressing the substantial gap between design and in-use performance—which impacts a wide range of new builds, retrofits, and individual energy technologies—the module highlights the significant energy-saving potential of effective energy monitoring and management. These practices optimise building energy systems while actively involving users and facilities management (FM) in the process.

The aim is twofold: on one hand to develop comprehensive knowledge of urban microclimates and the impact of built form and texture on urban climate and building performance; thus, we cover the fundamental physics behind urban microclimates and explore urban climate simulation tools to assist urban climate planning. On the other hand this module examines people-centered energy efficiency in the operation phase (versus design, construction and handover phases) of the building life cycle using smart, communication-based approaches for monitoring and managing energy consumption in buildings. The module will address information and building energy technologies and their application to inform, engage and empower users to achieve substantial energy savings at modest costs.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Interpret the physics behind urban microclimates and understand the interaction between urban microclimates and buildings
2. Outline the mitigation strategies to improve urban microclimate Discuss relevant regulations, barriers, quality systems and technical approaches for energy efficiency in buildings
3. Demonstrate an understanding of building energy consumption, energy waste, the concept of smart buildings, and the technologies and methods used for energy monitoring and management.
4. Comprehend the role of IT, communication systems, and smart technologies in energy management within buildings, emphasising benefits to users.

Module content

• Urban climate: an overview
• Urban energy balance
• Urban heat island and building energy
• Urban solar and daylighting environment and outdoor thermal comfort
• Urban green infrastructure
• Urban wind engineering and Urban wind environment design
• The effect of transport on air pollution and health in urban microenvironments
• Urban microclimate workshopSmart energy system and smart building: an overview
• Energy Management (regulations, quality system, barriers, approaches)
• Energy Consumption and waste in Buildings
• Impact of occupancy/activities on energy use
• Data based energy efficiency opportunity identification
• Monitoring components: their applications and advancements in development.ICT based  control for various user types
• Software for monitoring, analysis and control

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Theories are taught in lectures and seminars which are reinforced formative practical assignments and field observations. Tutorials and private guided studies are also included.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs