The Evaluation of Climatic Quality of Open and Semi-Open Communication Pathways in Kashan University Campus

During past years, the goal of creating spaces for higher education has been quantitative development of institutions to respond to the problem of knowledge development; hence many centers have been created in package buildings and lack of open space. In modern times, open and semi-open spaces has been proposed as the physical context of civil life of students in university areas and has become even more important to consider the quality of these environments. Specially communication pathways in universities as Behavior Settings, play an important role in providing social needs of students and their communication with each other. Hence the importance of this issue, the universities ought to provide this context for students. Due to the need of supplying the thermal comfort for users to use from spaces for a long time, knowledge and study of climatic factors are essential in pathways designing. Because of the warm and dry climate and lack of proper design of open spaces in Kashan University Campus, it does not have a good quality and it is facing climatic problems. Therefore, this study attempts to pay for evaluation of climatic dimension in the pathways of this university. This study has been performed using field data and data analysis through the theory of thermal comfort conducted. In open spaces and the aim is to assess the current status of university campus by case study approach and offer suggestions to improve the climatic quality of it. Generally, the technique is organized in several ways. First: Analysis of climatic parameters have been done using Penn warden criteria, climate calendar, sun pathway map through statistical data of synoptic stations of Kashan, during the period of forty years (1966-2005), and then doing field work in campus in 15- 16 December 2012 and 23-24 June 2013 using the WBGT and the speedometer of KESTREL devices that could have picked up the temperature, humidity, wind speed and subsequently providing the identification of micro- climate and finally Analysis field data through Outdoor thermal comfort factors such as WBGT, UTCI and WIND CHILL. Research shows in this university most of open and semi-open pathways is lacking of harmony with the climate and have climate problems .it can be noted to important contribution of this study to identify areas with extreme climatic conditions, and strive to create a climate comfortable in them by giving advices and guidelines in six main subjects in pathway design, contain direction and size of ways, various kinds of sunshades such as architectural elements, tent structures or plant scaffolding. the main type of plants and trees and also materials that should be used and using cold water evaporating. finally extract criteria for promotion and design points that has the transforming potential into a successful public places. It is hoped that this research can be opening the ways to the future studies in the field of quality improvement of campuses