FLOW AND DISPERSION IN URBAN AREAS

• Published in: Annual review of fluid mechanics Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 469 - 496
• Main Authors: Britter, R. E, Hanna, S. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto, CA 94303-0139 Annual Reviews 01.01.2003; 4139 El Camino Way, P.O. Box 10139 Annual Reviews, Inc; USA
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Convection, turbulence, diffusion. Boundary layer structure and dynamics; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Meteorology; pollutant dispersion; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; turbulence; Urban areas; urban boundary layer; Atmospheric turbulence; Air pollution; Air quality; Urban area; Review; Atmospheric dispersion; Velocity distribution; Flow field; Concentration distribution
• ISSN: 0066-4189; 1545-4479
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev.fluid.35.101101.161147

Increasing urbanization and concern about sustainability and quality of life issues have produced considerable interest in flow and dispersion in urban areas. We address this subject at four scales: regional, city, neighborhood, and street. The flow is one over and through a complex array of structures. Most of the local fluid mechanical processes are understood; how these combine and what is the most appropriate framework to study and quantify the result is less clear. Extensive and structured experimental databases have been compiled recently in several laboratories. A number of major field experiments in urban areas have been completed very recently and more are planned. These have aided understanding as well as model development and evaluation.