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Index 1 Index
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1. Introduction
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2. Thermal Considerations
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3. Circular Urban Farming
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4. Water Recovery System and Collection
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5. Energy Solutions
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6. Community
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7. Conclusion
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Sources
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Annexture A
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2
1. Introduction In an era marked by increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the necessity to develop resilient communities has never been more pronounced. For this reason, urban areas have already begun to adapt communities to become more resilient in the face of natural disasters. An example is highlighted by the city of Philadelphia, which has started efforts to equitably enable rooftop solar to address the energy burden in the city (Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, 2021, p. 20). Green spaces in Philadelphia are also being revamped to boost resilience, as is the case for FDR Park located in South Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation department hopes to turn this park into a resilience hub – a strategic community resource intended to serve as a center for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, 2021, p. 58). This paper explores the conceptualization of a resilience hub to be placed at the Guard House and Stables at FDR Park. The aim is to incorporates sustainable design principles, community engagement strategies, and cutting-edge technologies to foster community adaptability during unforeseen disruptions.
2. Thermal Considerations Central to the envisioned resilience hub design plan is the incorporation of sustainable principles and innovative solutions, such as thermal energy storage - a pivotal strategy for both elements (Cabeza, 2015, p. 1). By integrating thermal energy storage, the hub’s thermal comfort and energy efficiency can be enhanced. The resilience hub would also be able to optimize energy management, ensuring a reliable power supply during both normal operations and times of crisis. In the proposed design, an integrated greenhouse (Cabeza, 2015, p. 534) would be used to optimize thermal energy efficiency and allow successful 3
urban farming even during the winter months, which aligns with the park’s commitment to sustainable, locally sourced food (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, 2021, p. 55). To specifically address thermal losses within the park’s internal spaces, design features will be implemented in order to increase the indoor temperature of the courtyard, enabling it to serve as a thermal protected zone and reduce thermal losses through convection. By maintaining a higher temperature within this space (TGH > TOUT), energy will be conserved and comfortable environment for resilience hub users will be created.
Figure 1: Foldable glass roof (Making Outdoor Space Work, 2023)
The key design feature in the courtyard section of the resilience hub is an advanced foldable glass roof technology, as seen in Figure 1, which creates a flexible space that can constantly transition between an open and closed environment (Schumacher, 2019, p.58). This innovative system can adapt to varying needs and is responsive to different time-of-use requirements, considering both summer and winter months. The key components of this technology include low-e double glazing, as seen in Figure 2, which enhances insulation and minimizes heat loss, contributing to energy efficiency (Abaza, 2006). Additionally, the system includes mullions and a base shading system, further optimizing the environment for comfort and usability. The foldable glass roof technology offers a dynamic solution for the resilience hub, allowing for efficient control of the indoor environment while maximizing the use of natural light (Schumacher, 2019, p. 58). Indeed, according to the results obtained from an energy simulation, the amount of comfort condition is covered by 83% of time over
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the year, in which the indoor temperature is included between comfort limits of 20 °C and 26 °C.
This system not only enhances the overall sustainability of the facility but also provides a userfriendly and adaptable space that aligns with modern architectural and environmental standards. Overall, the combined use of various thermal strategies ensures that FDR Park remains adaptable and resilient in the face of varying climatic conditions as well as creates a more comfortable urban environment for the community.
Figure 2: The effect of using low-e double glazing for foldable glass roofs (Solar Control Glass, 2023)
3. Circular Urban Farming In alignment with thermal energy storage strategies, circular urban farming is an integral facet of the proposed resilience hub design plan, boosting the hub’s self-sufficiency and capacity to address food insecurity in times of crisis. The incorporation of urban food and gardening plots along with compost production within the hub’s premises will create a system that maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes waste. In the strategic plan for FDR Park, Philadelphia community members expressed their desires for food options within the park. (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, 2021, p. 55). An urban farm within the resilience 5
hub would also meet those needs along with creating additional benefits. An example of an urban farm can be seen in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Possible design of urban farm plot within the resilience hub (Urban Farm at Enston Home, 2023)
The additional benefits of the circular farming initiative would optimize space and resource utilization in the resilience hub while promoting ecological and environmental sustainability. Firstly, urban farming plots can aid in reducing rainwater runoff (Ackerman, 2014, p. 193), which is crucial at FDR Park as it consistently faces flooding issues (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, 2021, p. 30). Next, the urban farming plots would help decrease the impacts of urban heat islands (Ackerman, 2014, p. 192), which is a priority for in the FDR Park strategic plan (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, 2021, p. 64). Ecological sustainability can also be promoted through urban agricultural practices (Ethekwini Municipality, 2010, p. 10). This is a significant benefit as FDR Park is Philadelphia’s only park in the Atlantic Coastal Plain – an area that has a unique diversity of plant and animal species recovery (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, 2021, p. 76). Finally, community engagement with sustainable agricultural practices can be promoted through this initiative. Creating connections between people and nature is an important feature to truly develop resilient communities. All in all, the circular urban farming initiative addresses not only immediate environmental and social challenges, but also fosters long-term community sustainability. 6
4. Water Recovery System and Collection The proposed vision of the resilience hub also incorporates water recovery systems to address the essential need for flood maintenance and sustainable water systems. To boost flood resiliency, water permeability features that prevent combined sewer overflows, as seen in Figure 4, will be implemented in the resilience hub. This impact is critical for the sake of withstanding natural disasters; when the city floods, sewage runs into our waterways instead of being adequately treated. The second way that the resilience hub can increase the city’s resilience is through greywater recycling. Beyond permeability efforts to reduce stormwater runoff, greywater recycling allows this stormwater to be reused before it enters the sewers.
At the site of the proposed resilience hub, FDR Park, there is already a lot of water permeability in the vast green spaces that make up most of the park. Water permeability is key for resilience from the moment that it allows effective flood management in natural disasters. One way to increase FDR Park landscape’s permeability is to replace the current asphalt driveway and parking lots with permeable pavement.
Figure 4: Combined Sewer Overflow (Combined Sewer Overflow Basics, 2023)
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Figure 5: Map of FDR (Permits, 2023)
Based on the map illustrated in Figure 5, there are approximately 11,760 linear feet of driveways at FDR Park. Standardizing the width of a two-lane road with shoulders at 38 feet leads to a total area of 446,880 square feet, or 10.25 acres of land. For every inch of rainfall, over 275,000 gallons of water runoff are generated by this driveway. Given that Philadelphia experiences an annual rainfall of 41.53 inches, an estimated 11,569,000 gallons runs off this asphalt every year. Using pavers or permeable asphalt/concrete could allow most of this water to filter directly into the ground (or a cistern for reuse), instead of running into the lakes of the park.
Figure 6: Typical Green Roof Design (NPDES Stormwater Best Management, 2021)
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Along with improved storm water management, the resilience hub will also feature rainwater collection via a ‘Green Roof’ which collects water through plants within a growing medium on the roof as seen in Figure 6. Green roofs are an excellent option because they can be used for stormwater management and for rainwater retention processes. This rainwater can be collected and reused as gray water for the resilience hub. By utilizing recycled graywater, the building will be able to conserve valuable potable water for drinking purposes. This can be critical for the building’s resilience in the face of a natural disaster. Despite higher installation costs, green roofs in urban areas have been found to offer savings of 30-40% over a 40-year lifetime (NPDES: Stormwater Best Management, 2021).
5. Energy Solutions Core to the resilience hub’s self-sufficiency is also its energetically autonomous design features, including an integrated renewable energy system. Solar panels will be strategically positioned across the hub’s surfaces to create clean and sustainable electricity. Complementing the solar energy features, micro-wind turbines will be deliberately placed to capture wind energy and capitalize on the unique wind patterns surrounding FDR Park.
The solar photovoltaic panel component of the resilience hub design will transform sunlight into sustainable DC electrical energy (Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics, 2011). Generally, a photovoltaic system consists of one or more solar panels, an inverter that converts DC electricity to alternating current and sometimes other components such as controllers, meters, and trackers. To analyze sunlight conditions of the considered location, Philadelphia’s weather file was considered, and a climate analysis was made using the online software CBE Clima. At the same time, an energy simulation was run in order to define the yearly energy consumption and usage of the entire building and, based on the results
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obtained, it was possible to size both photovoltaic panels and micro-wind turbines, as shown in Annexture A below.
Eight monocrystalline solar panels will be placed to the south of the exposed roof’s pitch in the courtyard with the highest solar irradiation. The solar panels were assumed to each have a 350 W panel wattage, with dimensions 1x1.70 m, and an efficiency of 21.4% (Solar Panel Wattage and Output Explained, 2023). With these decisions, the energy output from the panels will be able meet the energy requirement of the entire building, together with the small wind turbine solution.
The micro-wind turbine system represents a generation method that uses wind energy flow to produce local electricity, allowing for the extension of clean and renewable electricity in areas without grid access. Different types of wind-turbines are available on the market, but the most suitable for the following case is the roof-mounted vertical-axis wind turbine. This is because this system is fully integrated and is light enough to be implemented on top of a building’s rooftop (Writer, 2023). Considering the environmental conditions of FDR Park, calculations were completed to determine that an overall energy output from the planned wind turbines would be 6.2 kWh of electricity, which meets the energy requirements of the entire building within the installation of solar panels, thus eliminating the hub’s dependence on grid electricity use.
An important objective related to wind turbines installation is to reduce noise associated with blade rotation and generator operation. A small wind turbine’s estimated sound level is 43 decibels, which is lower than an air conditioner (50 dB) but slightly higher than a refrigerator (40 dB) (Shine, 2023). By using low-noise blade designs, vibration isolators, and sound absorbing materials around the gearbox and generator the wind turbine’s noise can
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be reduced. This solution has been adopted in this project: indeed, the lightweight fiberglass material of the wind turbine blades helps to reduce noise due to its low density. By insulating external walls on the hub or using slabs with an adequate façade sound insulation index airborne noise from outside can be reduced.
6. Community Complementing the infrastructure-focused elements of the resilience hub, a wide range of community activities form an integral part of the proposed resilience hub, boosting social cohesion and individual well-being. The resilience hub will be designed as a communal space where workshops, training sessions, and educational programs focused on disaster preparedness, sustainable living practices, and first aid training are held. The proposed courtyard will be able to facilitate social cohesion, providing a space for community members to connect and share experiences. Community partners will also be developed by strengthening the bond between FDR Park and community-based organizations like SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition). The goal of the community engagement activities is not only to enhance the community’s ability to response to a crisis, but also to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support throughout the park’s surrounding neighborhoods.
7. Conclusion In conclusion, the proposed resilience hub at FDR Park in South Philadelphia demonstrates a transformative approach to creating resilient communities in the face of natural disasters. Through sustainable design principles, cutting-edge technologies, and community engage strategies, the envisioned hub aims not only to boost resilience but also serve as a model for 11
sustainable urban development. The implementation of thermal energy storage, advanced foldable glass roof technology, circular urban farming, water recovery systems, and energetically autonomous features represent a clear commitment to community well-being and environmental responsibility. The proposed resilience hub at FDR Park truly creates a resilient
community
that
balances
environmental,
social,
and
technological
considerations.
Sources Abaza, H., & Sa’ad, I. (2006). Adaptive Low-e Double Glazing Window. Journal of Green Building, 1(4), 104–111. https://doi.org/10.3992/jgb.1.4.104 Ackerman, K., Conard, M., Culligan, P., Plunz, R., Sutto, M.-P., & Whittinghill, L. (2014). Sustainable Food Systems for Future Cities: The Potential of Urban Agriculture. The Economic and Social Review, 45(2), 189–206. Cabeza, L. F., Martorell, I., Miró, L., Fernández, A. I., & Barreneche, C. (2015). Introduction to thermal energy storage (TES) systems. Advances in Thermal Energy Storage Systems, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781782420965.1 Combined Sewer Overflow Basics. US EPA. (2023). https://www.epa.gov/npdes/combined-sewer-overflow-basics Ethekwini Municipality, Creating Space for Biodiversity in Durban 1–52 (2010). Durban, KwaZulu Natal. Making Outdoor Space Work. Home | Breezefree Ltd. (2023). https://www.breezefree.com/ NPDES: Stormwater Best Management. US EPA. (2021). https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/bmp-green-roofs.pdf Permits. Friends of FDR Park. (2023). https://www.fdrparkphilly.org/permits
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Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, Philadelphia Climate Action Playbook 1–45 (2021). Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, FDR Park - A Shared Vision for Our Future 1–184 (2021). Philadelphia, PA. Schumacher, M., Cordón Krumme, L. A., & Vogt, M.-M. (2019). New MOVE: Architecture in Motion - New Dynamic Components and Elements. Birkhäuser. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783035613629 Shine, E. (2023, November 7). How much noise do small wind turbines make. Attainable Home. https://www.attainablehome.com/how-much-noise-do-small-wind-turbinesmake/ Solar Control Glass. Guardian Glass. (2023). https://www.guardianglass.com/us/en/ourglass/glass-types/solar-control-glass Solar Panel Wattage and Output Explained. MarketWatch. (2023). https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/solar/solar-panelwattage/#:~:text=Residential%20solar%20panels%20have%20typical,kWh%20of%20el ectricity%20per%20day Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics. Energy. (2011). https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-photovoltaic-technology-basics Urban Farm at Enston Home. The Green Heart Project. (2023). https://greenheartsc.org/urban-farm-at-enston-home/ Writer, T. G. (2023, July 18). The Complete Guide to small wind turbines for your home. The Eco Experts. https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/blog/small-wind-turbines Omni Calculator https://www.omnicalculator.com/ecology/solar-panel
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Annexture A The following Annexture A provides the calculations made about thermal and energy solutions adopted in the Resilience Hub design. The building considered, representing the old Guard House and Stables at FDR Park (Philadelphia), has an average net surface area of 840 m2 without considering the internal courtyard. The yearly energy consumption and usage of the building has been estimated approximately through energy simulation software equal to 10.62 kWh/year. Both for photovoltaic panels and micro-wind turbines, an online calculator (Omni calculator) was used to define the perfect sizing of each system.
For micro-wind turbines, considering an average wind speed of 8 m/s in Philadelphia, the following dimensions of vertical axis wind turbines were selected:
A blade rotor diameter of 4 m;
A height of 1 m from roof installation;
Before finding the wind power, the swept area1 of the turbine was determined by multiplying the blade rotor diameter and the overall height, and it resulted equal to 4 m2. Furthermore, the overall available wind power was determined according to the following formula: 𝑃
= 0.5 ∙ 𝜌 ∙ 𝑣 ∙ 𝐴
Where:
𝜌 is the air density equal to 1.225 kg/m3;
𝑣 is the wind speed previously defined;
𝐴 is the swept area.
Once the efficiency of the wind turbine was set equal to 80% too, it has been possible to determine the output power of one single wind turbine by multiplying the available wind
1 The swept area represents the area enclosed within a circle subtended by the blades of the rotor
and this depends on the effective radius of the blade.
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power for the efficiency. It was calculated to be equal to 1505,5 kW, which means that the overall capacity of the four wind turbines installed is equal to 6022 kW.
According to the energy guaranteed by the small wind turbine, it was possible to size the second system adopted. Considering the solar hours per day related to Philadelphia city, it was verified that eight solar photovoltaic panels, each with a power output of 350 W and dimension of 1x1.8 m, are enough to cover the remaining energy requirement of the building.
For what concerns thermal analyses a simple steady-state balance has been used to determine gains and losses during the whole year. 𝑄 +𝑄 +𝑄 +𝑄 +𝑄
=0
Where:
QT are the transmission thermal losses through the envelope (opaque and transparent);
Qv are the ventilation thermal losses, due to natural ventilation;
QI are the internal gains (people, appliances and lighting);
QS are the solar gains;
Qsys is the thermal power that (heating and cooling) systems have to provide to the thermal zone for balancing the equation.
Since many features of the building were not known, assumptions were made to assess calculations. For example, the typology of building and the year of construction were hypothesized, so the thermal transmittance of the envelope and amount of air infiltrations could be determined. Other assumptions included the energy usage of the building as the certain number of people, appliances, and lighting inside the building was estimated. With
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these assumptions, a model simulation was made on IES-VE and internal temperatures that considered the applied strategies were calculated and compared to the actual building ones.
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