Air flow design is the quiet champion of climate resilience

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Computational Fluid Dynamics uses mathematics and computer simulations to replicate the behavior of gases and liquids in a virtual environment. This allows us to test the aerodynamic properties of certain designs. Beyond race cars, it allows us to simulate - for example - how wind flows through a city or how water might flow through coastal regions during a flood.

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Two of the key causes of urban heat islands are poor ventilation and choice of surface materials. CFD can help city planners decide where to locate parks, reflective surfaces and ventilation corridors. For example, Singapore's urban planners used CFD to design wind corridors that channel cooling breezes through dense neighborhoods.

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CFD can simulate how water will flow through a city during extreme rainfall or rising tides. These simulations are vital for designing flood defences, green stormwater systems, and so-called "sponge city" infrastructure, which absorbs water instead of deflecting it.

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CFD can help us understand how wind carries both fire and smoke. These models can help to predict fire patterns, guide the placement of firebreaks, and design evacuation strategies. They also aid in building fire-resilient structures by simulating how embers and heat might travel in complex terrain.

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