Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can play an important role in building design. For all aspects and stages of building design, CFD can be used to provide more accurate and rapid predictions of building performance with regard to air flow, pressure, temperature, and similar parameters. Generally, the process involved in conducting CFD analyses is relatively complex and requires a good understanding of how best to utilize computational numerical methods. Moreover, the level of skill required to perform an accurate CFD analysis remains a challenge for many professionals particularly architects. In addition, the user needs to input a number of different items of information and parameters into the CFD program in order to obtain a successful and credible solution. This research seeks to improve the general understanding of how CFD can best be used as a design assistance tool. While there have been a number of quantitative studies suggesting CFD may be a useful tool for building related airflow assessment, few researchers have explored the more qualitative aspects of CFD, in particular developing a better understanding of the procedures required for the proper application of CFD to whole building analysis. This study therefore adopted a combined qualitative and quantitative methodology, with the researcher immersing himself into a case study approach and defining several lessons-learned that are documented and shared. This research will assist practicing architects and architecture students to better understand the application of CFD to building analysis and design. / Ph. D.

Decline in both visual acuity and visual performance is a fact of life for older people and their increasing share of the population requires that buildings be designed with their visual needs in mind. As their field of vision decreases, people find it harder to identify an objects location, distance, and orientation. Elderly people with vision impairments usually find it harder to perform daily activities such as navigation through indoor spaces. Functional vision can be improved by modifying the design of spaces, for example, with better lighting. However, architects typically do not know how to take the needs of the visually impaired into account in their design process, or simply do not think of doing so. The researcher designed and feasibility-tested a prototype person-centered tool to help architects judge how appropriate a designed space will be for visually impaired people. The study was conducted as a qualitative mixed-methodology research analysis. The researcher used knowledge from literature interpretation to rationalize the development of a person-centered prototype. The researcher immersed design PhD students and vision science experts to inform the prototyping process. Along with an expert group of design and vision science professionals, the researcher beta-tested the prototype during a mock design-process scenario. The researcher also selected a small group of industry experts to participate in open-ended interviews on post-use demonstrations to qualitatively triangulate the findings on the prototypes usability. The study summarizes the feasibility including the challenges of using the prototype for professional purposes and suggests improvement. / Ph. D.

Dans les villes françaises, les évolutions récentes en matière de conception urbaine ont rendu incontournable la reconstruction de la ville sur elle-même dans le respect de son environnement. La ville doit désormais être de bonne qualité environnementale urbaine. Même si cela semble aujourd’hui une évidence, la fabrique urbaine de la qualité environnementale pose encore question car c’est une notion multi interprétée dans le champ scientifique comme dans le champ opérationnel.Cette thèse en urbanisme et aménagement inscrite dans le champ de la géographie sociale, porte sur les multiples acceptions de la qualité environnementale urbaine. Elle questionne en particulier la prise en compte des acceptions qu’en ont les habitants dans les projets urbains à Toulouse. La thèse s’appuie sur une enquête de terrain par parcours commentés menée auprès d’habitants d’un quartier soumis à de fortes nuisances environnementales, et par entretiens semi directifs auprès de professionnels toulousain du projet urbain. L’enquête de terrain a été complétée par une analyse de documents sur les cadres politique, réglementaire et institutionnel qui régissent la fabrique urbaine.La thèse montre que même si les habitants et les professionnels du projet urbain partagent une dimension subjective et expérientielle de la qualité environnementale urbaine, les conditions politique, règlementaire et institutionnelle de la fabrique urbaine ne permettent pas vraiment de la prendre en compte dans les projets urbains. La thèse ayant aussi comme objectif opérationnel de participer à améliorer la fabrique de la qualité environnementale urbaine, elle propose un prototype d’outil interdisciplinaire et participatif d’aide à sa conception destiné aux professionnels du projet urbain. / In French cities, recent evolutions in urban design and planning have made essential to rebuild the city on itself while respecting its environment. Now, cities have to be of good urban environmental quality. Although it seems obvious today, the making of environmental urban quality is still a question because it is a multi interpreted concept in the scientific field, as well as in the operational field.This Ph.D. in urban planning, well inscribed in the field of social geography, addresses the multiple meanings of urban environmental quality. In particular, it questions the possibility of taking into account the meanings of this concept for the inhabitants in urban projects in Toulouse. The Ph.D. is based on a field investigation by commented paths conducted with residents of a neighborhood subject to severe environmental nuisances, and semi-structured interviews with professionals from Toulouse’s urban projects. The field investigation was supplemented by an analysis of documents on the policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks governing the urban policies.