Research database

The FLUIDiCITY project proposes a paradigm shift: it reframes urban cooling as an emergent, designable fluid-dynamic process. Rather than treating mitigation measures as isolated surface modifications, the project investigates how spatial heterogeneity in thermal forcing—caused by vegetation, materials, or geometry—can give rise to structured convective airflows capable of redistributing heat. These flow structures—often referred to in planning literature as "cooling corridors"—have been conceptually recognized, but their physical behaviour and governing mechanisms remain underexplored. FLUIDiCITY aims to reveal their dynamics and controllability through a combination of laboratory experiments, Large Eddy Simulations (LES), and reduced-order modelling. To lay the foundations for the full ERC proposal, the preliminary research plan is built on two pillars. First, it activates a unique experimental facility—a recirculating atmospheric water flume—recently completed at Politecnico di Torino. Using advanced techniques (PIV for velocity and PLIF for temperature), a proof-of-concept experiment will test how thermally heterogeneous surfaces influence airflow patterns above simplified urban forms. The setup replicates a stylized urban grid, with heated and cooled modules mimicking features such as green roofs or reflective surfaces. Second, exploratory LES simulations using the open-source uDALES platform will replicate the same configurations, in collaboration with the development team at Imperial College London. This dual approach is designed to identify key physical mechanisms, assess model limitations, and prepare the ground for systematic investigation in the full ERC project. Beyond the technical objectives, this preliminary phase also includes the development of the ERC Starting Grant proposal itself. The activities will support the refinement of scientific questions, the identification of interdisciplinary links (e.g., with architecture, energy planning, and environmental health), and the design of a reduced-order model aimed at enabling practical application of the findings. By treating urban cooling as a fluid-dynamic challenge rather than a purely material or morphological one, FLUIDiCITY opens new pathways in urban climatology, experimental fluid mechanics, and sustainable design. The project’s ambition is to deliver not only physical insight but also transferable tools and principles for shaping the thermal future of our cities.