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La tesis doctoral presenta un avance innovador en el análisis de entornos urbanos, profundizando en elementos fundamentales que regulan sus cambios y procesos. Se centra en los desafíos del análisis urbano de zonas extensas y complejas y del estudio a medida en escalas locales, con la implementación de conjuntos de datos de múltiples fuentes (datos abiertos y teledetección) para identificar áreas de interés para su intervención de forma remota. Este enfoque integra características biofísicas existentes del entorno construido, la vegetación (prestando atención a la escala espacio-temporal y su impacto en servicios ecosistémicos), el albedo de banda ancha, y la temperatura superficial del suelo (LST). El desarrollo de la tesis se estructura en cuatro secciones, que comienzan con una revisión exhaustiva de los métodos de evaluación urbana en remoto, seguida por la caracterización detallada de la vegetación. Posteriormente, se propone un marco de clasificación de las características biofísicas, se diagnostica el entorno urbano según el comportamiento de las características existentes y, finalmente, se definen patrones morfológicos. Las secciones concluyen con el diseño de un método para caracterizar áreas de interés y su aplicación en los procesos de toma de decisiones. El diseño del método se fundamenta en la extracción de características y cálculo de variables biofísicas a distancia, fusionando datos del Catastro (una base de datos de edificaciones en España), imágenes satelitales de alta y muy alta resolución, y datos infrarrojos térmicos (TIR). Para validar el método, se lleva a cabo en un caso de estudio que cumple con criterios establecidos previamente en la metodología, ubicado en el barrio de Canillas, Madrid, España. Los desarrollados en la tesis priorizan la integración de componentes biofísicos urbanos en su estado actual, con detalles intrincados y escalas espacio-temporales esenciales para la planificación urbana. Los resultados abordan los desafíos en los, The PhD thesis represents an innovative advance in the analysis of urban environments, delving into fundamental elements that drive their changes and processes. It focuses on the challenges of urban analysis of extensive and complex areas and tailored studies at local scales, using multisouce datasets (open data and remote sensing) to remotly identify areas of interest for intervention. This approach integrates existing biophysical characteristics of the built environment, vegetation (with attention to the spatio-temporal scale and its impact on ecosystem services), broadband albedo, and land surface temperature (LST). The thesis is structured in four sections, starting with an exhaustive review of remote urban assessment methods, followed by a detailed characterisation of vegetation. Subsequently, a classifi cation framework for biophysical features is proposed, the urban context in diagnosed according to the behaviour of the existing features and, fi nally, morphological patterns are defi ned. The sections conclude with the design of a method to characterise areas of interest to be applied in decision-making processes. The design of the method relies on the retrieval of the characteristics and calculation of biophysical variables by fusing data from the Cadastre (a database of buildings in Spain), high and very-high-resolution satellite images, and thermal infrared (TIR) data. To validate the method, it is conducted in a case study that meets the criteria previously established in the methodology, located in the neighbourhood of Canillas, Madrid, Spain. The processes carried out in the thesis prioritise the integration of urban biophysical components in their current state, with intricate details and spatiotemporal scales essential for urban planning. The results address challenges in current urban analyses and have been disseminated through papers published in scientifi c journals, books, congresses and international conferences proceedings, recognised for their

The energy budget of households, linked to residential energy consumption (REC), serves as a critical indicator of quality of life and economy trends. Despite the lack of widely available accurate statistics at regional or smaller scales, they are of crucial interest for a better understanding of the features influencing REC and its impact on energy poverty, wellbeing, and the climate crisis. This research aims to present a new information model for predictive parameters and REC forecasting through an innovative use of available open data. Geoprocessing, data mining, and machine learning clustering algorithms were applied to open datasets of location, population, and residential building stock parameters highly correlated with their REC, on the ensemble of 785 municipalities of Andalusia, Spain. The model identified 65 clusters of towns sharing the same potential REC, with 73% of the population concentrated in 10 of these. The resulting data-driven bottom-up model of provincial REC had a mean absolute error of only 0.63%. Furthermore, it provided the territorial distribution, with local resolution, of the identified clusters of cities with similar characteristics. This methodology, with a flexible regional- to city-scale analysis, provides knowledge generation that offers numerous practical applications for energy policy planning. Its future implementation would assist stakeholders and policymakers in enhancing the performance and decarbonization of the residential building stock.

Los ritmos circadianos son ciclos biológicos diarios responsables de diferentes funciones del cuerpo humano como la temperatura corporal, el apetito, la secreción de hormonas o los patrones de sueño, siendo la melatonina la principal hormona encargada de este proceso. Su disrupción puede provocar una descoordinación de las funciones vitales, con la consecuente aparición de problemas de salud. La exposición a la luz, especialmente a la luz natural, es fundamental para regularlos. Sin embargo, las rutinas de vida actuales, caracterizadas por una estancia predominante en espacios interiores con iluminación eléctrica, puede provocar la interrupción de dichos ritmos. Esta problemática se acentúa en los espacios de trabajo de actividad continuada, donde los usuarios permanecen despiertos y expuestos a la luz artificial durante la noche. Llegados a este punto, surge la siguiente pregunta de investigación: ¿es posible diseñar un sistema que establezca las condiciones óptimas de iluminación natural y eléctrica en espacios de trabajo de actividad continuada, en los que se promueva un adecuado ritmo circadiano? Esta tesis parte de la hipótesis de que esto es posible, y su objetivo principal es demostrarlo mediante la optimización del campo lumínico en este tipo de entornos, promoviendo la mejora de la salud y confort de los usuarios. Para alcanzar este objetivo, se presenta una metodología dividida en tres etapas. La primera consiste en el diseño y validación de un método que permite analizar el efecto en la salud de la combinación de luz natural y eléctrica, teniendo en cuenta a su vez la influencia de las condiciones del espacio. La segunda consiste en el desarrollo de una nueva herramienta paramétrica en la que se integra este método validado. Se trata del desarrollo del plugin CircaLight, para el programa Grasshopper, que permite llevar a cabo la evaluación del efecto de la iluminación en los ritmos circadianos mediante el cálculo de diferentes métricas. Por último, la ter, The circadian rhythms are the daily biological cycles through which humans have adapted to the light and darkness cycles caused by the Earth's rotation. These rhythms are responsible for controlling various functions of the human body, such as body temperature, appetite, hormone secretion, and sleep patterns. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in our brain and coordinated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, is the main regulator of this process. Disruption of circadian rhythms can lead to a coordination breakdown in vital functions, resulting in serious health problems, including obesity, diabetes, depression, coronary diseases, or an increased risk of cancer. The circadian rhythm is primarily regulated by perceived light, with natural light being optimal for adjustment due to its dynamic and cyclical nature. However, contemporary lifestyles often involve extended indoor stays where natural light is limited, requiring reliance on static electric lighting. Consequently, this reduced exposure to natural light disrupts circadian rhythms, especially in continuously active workspaces where individuals remain awake and exposed to artificial light during the night. Therefore, the appropriate design of both natural and electric lighting is crucial to ensuring the well-being of individuals exposed to these conditions. At this juncture, the question arises, which this research aims to address: Is it possible to design a system that establishes optimal conditions for natural and electric lighting in continuously active workspaces, promoting a proper circadian rhythm? This thesis hypothesizes that this is possible, and its main objective is to demonstrate it by optimizing the lighting field in such environments, thereby improving the health and comfort conditions of the occupants.

The study of energy consumption in buildings, particularly residential ones, brings with it significant socio-economic and environmental implications, as it accounts for approximately 40% of CO2 emissions, 18% in the case of residential buildings, in Europe. On a number of levels, energy consumption serves as a key parameter in urban sustainability indicators and energy plans. Access to data on energy consumption is crucial for energy planning, management, knowledge generation, and awareness. Urban Building Energy Models (UBEMs), which are emerging tools for simulating energy consumption at neighborhood scale, allow for more efficient intervention and energy rehabilitation planning. However, UBEM validation requires reliable reference data, which are often challenging to obtain at urban scale due to privacy concerns and data accessibility issues. Recent advances, such as automation and open data utilization, are proving promising in addressing these challenges. This study aims to provide a standardized UBEM validation process by presenting a case study that was carried out utilizing open data to develop bottom-up engineering models of residential energy demand at urban scale, with a resolution level of individual buildings, and a subsequent adjustment and validation using reference tools. This study confirms that the validated GIS-UBEM model heating and cooling demands and consumption fall within the confidence bands of ±15% and ±12.5%, i.e., the confidence bands required for the approval of official alternative simulation methods for energy certification. This paves the way for its application in urban-scale studies and practices with a well-established margin of confidence, covering a wide range of building typologies, construction models, and climates comparable to those considered in the validation process. The primary application of this model is to determine the starting point and subsequent evaluation of improvement scenarios at a district scale, examining is

Proper access to natural light entails a multitude of consequences for human beings, making it a highly significant aspect within the hospital setting. In consequence, it is imperative to undertake an appropriate optimization of windows in architectural design to reduce energy consumption and mitigate environmental impact, while concurrently enhancing the well-being of occupants. The aim of this study is to quantify the relative effectiveness in terms of energy consumption and natural lighting of hospital room windows, analyzing how a set of key design variables ‒size, proportion, position, and orientation‒ influence in one of the primary lighting dynamic metrics, Daylight Autonomy (DA). The results indicate that it is recommended to prioritize horizontal window designs over floor-to-ceiling alternatives, allocate a minimum area of 1.20m² to the south (greater on the north side), favor central positioning on the facade, and emphasize a southern orientation for optimal illumination.

Las personas dependientes, como aquellas con discapacidades físicas o enfermedades crónicas, pueden enfrentar dificultades para moverse, comunicarse o realizar tareas diarias, lo que afecta su capacidad para garantizar una calidad ambiental interior óptima y puede tener consecuencias negativas para su bienestar y salud. Es fundamental que los espacios destinados a estas personas, como centros de día y residencias, aseguren su bienestar. Por lo tanto, este trabajo se enfoca en estudiar la calidad ambiental interior de un centro especializado para personas con parálisis cerebral en Sevilla, específicamente en Dos Hermanas, que forma parte de la Confederación Española de Asociaciones de Atención a las Personas con Parálisis Cerebral (ASPACE). El enfoque principal se centra en un grupo de personas consideradas vulnerables debido a las particularidades de su enfermedad, quienes en la mayoría de los casos presentan limitaciones funcionales y mentales. Es de suma importancia crear un entorno confortable con una calidad ambiental interior adecuada para satisfacer las necesidades asistenciales de estos individuos. Dado que se trata de un edificio existente donde ya se lleva a cabo la actividad, el objetivo general del trabajo es caracterizar los principales contaminantes interiores presentes en el centro. Se pretende evaluar y establecer una relación entre estos contaminantes y parámetros específicos, con el fin de determinar si los espacios utilizados para las actividades destinadas a personas vulnerables y con limitaciones funcionales ofrecen condiciones saludables. Además, se presenta una guía para crear espacios saludables a partir de este trabajo y se presenta una posible intervención en las salas del edificio en caso de ser necesaria., Dependent individuals, such as those with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses, may face difficulties in mobility, communication, and performing daily tasks, which impairs their ability to ensure optimal indoor environmental quality and can have negative consequences for their well-being and health. It is crucial that spaces dedicated to these individuals, such as day centers and residences, ensure their well-being. Therefore, this study focuses on investigating the indoor environmental quality of a specialized center for individuals with cerebral palsy in Sevilla, specifically in Dos Hermanas, which is part of the Spanish Confederation of Associations for Cerebral Palsy Care (ASPACE). The primary focus is on a group of individuals considered vulnerable due to the unique characteristics of their condition, who often experience functional and cognitive limitations. Creating a comfortable environment with appropriate indoor environmental quality is of utmost importance to meet the care needs of these individuals. Since it involves an existing building where activities are already taking place, the overall objective of this study is to characterize the main indoor pollutants present in the center. The aim is to evaluate and establish a relationship between these pollutants and specific parameters to determine if the spaces used for activities targeting vulnerable individuals with functional limitations provide healthy conditions. Additionally, a guide for creating healthy spaces based on this study is presented, along with a potential intervention plan for the rooms in the building if necessary.

En las últimas décadas, la esperanza de vida ha aumentado gracias a los avances médicos y tecnológicos, y se está produciendo un envejecimiento poblacional. Paralelamente, se han adoptado medidas para la descarbonización del planeta, afectando a la arquitectura de las ciudades, a la creación y modificación de edificios e instalaciones más eficientes energéticamente. El sector de la construcción se ha visto muy afectado. Han ido apareciendo una variedad de estándares que pretenden hacer una construcción más sostenible. Proponen el diseño de edificios de consumo de energía casi nulo, así como condiciones de habitabilidad, confort y calidad ambiental más saludables. Estas cuestiones incumben al sector de la tercera edad, por encontrarse en muchas ocasiones en una situación en la que no pueden asegurar su sostenibilidad económica, energética y social. La preocupación por conseguir una buena calidad de vida de este colectivo en estas materias es el tema principal para tratar. Las dificultades presentadas con la edad, los problemas de movilidad, la necesidad de asistencia o el entorno social, llevan a pensar nuevas formas de vida para las personas mayores. Las viviendas comunitarias del tipo “cohousings” son el método elegido para esto. Combinan la vida en comunidad y la privada, el reparto de gastos y suponen un ahorro energético, entre otros beneficios. Este trabajo pretende crear las bases de un manual de buenas prácticas de un nuevo estándar constructivo, fruto de la unión de los estándares Passivhaus y Well Building Standard. Su objetivo es guiar a aquellos que diseñen edificios con este uso o similares, a un diseño acorde a las necesidades de sus usuarios y energéticamente eficientes, centrándose en el bienestar de los residentes senior. Se hará tomando como base un caso de aplicación ya en funcionamiento, comparándolo con los principios de los estándares elegidos y planteando las mejoras aplicables para conseguir un modelo más sostenible en él., In recent decades, life expectancy has increased due to medical and technological developments, and population ageing is taking place. At the same time, measures have been taken to decarbonize the planet, affecting the architecture of cities, the creation and modification of more energy-efficient buildings and facilities. The construction sector has been severely affected. A variety of standards have emerged and aim to make construction more sustainable. They propose the design of buildings with almost no energy consumption, as well as more healthy living conditions, comfort and environmental quality. These issues are a matter for the elderly sector, which often finds itself in a situation where they cannot ensure their economic, energy and social sustainability. The concern to achieve a good quality of life of this group in these matters is the main topic to address. The difficulties presented with age, mobility problems, need for assistance or social environment, lead to new ways of life for the elderly. Community dwellings in the way of “cohousings” are the method chosen for this. They combine community and private life, cost sharing and represent energy savings, among other benefits. This work aims to create the bases for a good practice manual of a new constructive standard, fruit of the union of the standards Passivhaus and Well Building Standard. It intends to guide those who design buildings with this type of use or a similar one, to a design according to the needs of its users and energy efficient, focusing on the welfare of senior residents. It will be based on an application case already in operation, comparing it with the principles of the chosen standards and proposing the applicable improvements to achieve a more sustainable model in it.

Daylight dynamic metrics are useful tools for quantifying the switch-on time or the dimming of electric lighting according to the architectural scenario. A variant of these metrics can also be used to define strategies to control the lighting fixtures, dimming the luminous flux with no need for external input and reducing therefore the energy consumption of the lighting systems. Given this context, a new approach is proposed, Continuous Overcast Daylight Autonomy (DAo.con), defined as the percentage of occupied time when an illuminance threshold is met by daylight alone under continuous overcast sky conditions, considering a partial credit linearly to values below the threshold defined. This concept acts as an algorithm which adjusts the luminous flux of the luminaires according to the Daylight Factors measured or simulated, considering user requirements and ignoring any internal device for actively measuring the lighting conditions. The Daylight Factors can be modified according to the use of shading devices that affect to the indoor natural light. Accordingly, this algorithm can significantly reduce the embodied cost of the lighting smart controls, promoting their spread and its implementation in building refurbishment, while the energy consumption in electric lighting is reduced by up to 76% for large windows and by up to 65% for medium-sized openings. The results show that the use of this algorithm in office environments with LED fixtures can promote energy savings of up to 7.8 W/m2 for locations with predominantly clear skies and up to 5.7 W/m2 for northern latitudes with mainly overcast skies.

The research conducted under HABITA-RES explored the advisability of the integrative refurbishment of urban neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Madrid built between the end of the Civil War in 1939 and the enactment of the country’s first building code on the indoor environment in 1979. Characterised by highly inefficient buildings, many such neighbourhoods are listed as vulnerable urban areas. The study described hereunder analysed the feasibility of their conversion to energy self-sufficiency to improve residents’ environment, social circumstances and health. European directives and domestic legislation on energy production are introducing increasingly demanding requirements geared to achieving nearly zero energy buildings in 2020 and cities’ carbon neutrality by target year 2050. Possible approaches to achieve those ends were assessed under this study. The theoretical model used was validated with detailed information collected in situ on both social circumstances and energy efficiency. Designed to study improvement strategies for both individual and groups of buildings, the model prioritises passive improvements to lower demand. The findings will enable residents in such neighbourhoods to participate actively in improvement measures and access information on their costs and benefits.

En el capítulo anterior se explicaron los fundamentos básicos que rigen la adaptación del método de Wells-Riley, con la que se puede determi nar probabilísticamente cuál es el riesgo relativo de infección de enfermeda des mediante aerosoles de media y larga distancia en un evento dado. Así, con este método es posible evaluar el impacto que tienen las diferentes me didas de mitigación en el riesgo relativo de contraer la enfermedad. Entre estas medidas de mitigación, destaca la ventilación, dado que es una de las principales acciones disponibles para limitar el riesgo de brotes epidémicos mediante aerosoles, al permitir renovar el aire de los espacios interiores mediante dilución y desplazamiento del aire viciado. Para evaluar la eficiencia de dicha ventilación, se puede recurrir a la mo nitorización del nivel diferencial de dióxido de carbono (CO2) existente en tre el espacio interior y el exterior (denominado «exceso de CO2», ∆[CO2]), en ausencia de otras fuentes significativas de emisión de CO2. Con este indicador, cuya medición es sencilla, fiable y de coste asumible, es posible evaluar indirectamente el riesgo de infección de enfermedades por aerosoles (media y larga distancia) en espacios interiores, utilizando por tanto dicho exceso de CO2 como proxy.

Como se ha discutido en capítulos anteriores, la ventilación consiste en el proceso de renovar el aire de un recinto mediante aporte de aire exterior, sustituyendo, con ello, el aire viciado interior. Con esto se consigue mejorar la calidad del aire interior (IAQ). Ventilando, por tanto, se pueden diluir hasta niveles aceptables los contaminantes emitidos en el interior con el fin de conseguir una atmósfera interior adecuada. Esta necesidad de renovar el ambiente interno con aire exterior puede derivar –en función de las condiciones climatológicas externas– en un incremento del consumo energético requerido para acondicionar el espacio a condiciones de confort. En este punto es donde se necesita determinar qué factores se pueden mejorar y conciliar al mismo tiempo, con el doble objetivo de reducir la demanda energética asociada al acondicionamiento térmico, por un lado, y de mejorar sensiblemente la calidad ambiental de estos espacios interiores mediante la ventilación, por otro.

Natural light exposure both in flux and spectrum is essential to human health due to its direct relationship with circadian rhythms. Given that light affects visual performance and circadian rhythms differently, metrics need to assess them independently. The aim of this research is to present a new parametric workflow to integrate metrics quantifying the effect of light on circadian rhythm. CircaLight is a new open-source tool for Rhino environment developed as a plugin for Grasshopper. This software enables the calculation of different metrics that quantify the effect of light, both natural and electric, on circadian rhythms, considering the influence of the spectral reflectance of inner surfaces. The CircaLight components can be integrated into Grasshopper plugins such as Solemma or Ladybug tools providing information about the Circadian Stimulus, the Equivalent Melanopic Lux and the Melanopic Photopic ratio, all of which provide current metrics related with circadian rhythms. This research evaluates the reliability of the software presented, quantifying its accuracy by means of other validated software. The results show the accuracy of this new parametric tool with an error under ±10% even in the most unfavorable scenarios.

Historical heritage buildings often face challenges in maintaining suitable indoor environmental conditions, leading to high energy consumption. Insufficient control of the hygrothermal environment and indoor air quality can have adverse effects on both occupants and the valuable artworks housed within these significant structures. However, some heritage buildings also possess construction features that enable them to effectively withstand local climatic conditions. This study focuses on the 'Casa Fabiola' Museum in Seville, which houses an art collection donated by Mariano Bellver. The main objective is to characterize the museum's hygrothermal comfort and explore the feasibility of implementing integrated passive measures to assess their impact on the indoor conditions. The study aims to reduce the ecological footprint of historical buildings while preserving their environmental legacy. It also seeks to quantify the energy consumption resulting from the implementation of stricter operational conditions. Through energy simulations, this research aims to harmonize modern conservation efforts with the building's historical past, ensuring a sustainable and ecologically sensitive approach to the preservation of art and human habitability.

The validated influence of urban biophysical structure on environmental processes within urban areas has heightened the emphasis on studies examining morphological patterns to determine precise locations and underlying causes of urban climate conditions. The present study aims to characterise morphological patterns describing the distribution of Land Surface Temperature (LST) based on a prior classification of biophysical variables, including urban density (building intensity and average height), surface characteristics, shortwave solar radiation (broadband albedo), and seasonal variations in vegetation cover (high, medium, and low levels), retrieved from multisource datasets. To describe the distribution of LST, the variables were calculated, classified, and subsequently, analysed individually and collectively concerning winter and summer LST values applied in an urban neighbourhood in Madrid, Spain. The results from the analytical approaches (observation, correlations, and multiple regressions) were compared to define the morphological patterns. The selection of areas resulting from the morphological patterns with the most unfavourable LST values showed agreement of up to 89% in summer and up to 70% for winter, demonstrating the feasibility of the methods applied to identify priority areas for intervention by season. Notably, low and high vegetation levels emerged as pivotal biophysical characteristics influencing LST distribution compared to the other characteristics, emphasising the significance of integrating detailed seasonal vegetation variations in urban analyses.

Climate change is raising the length and intensity of the warm season in the academic year, with a very significant impact on indoor classroom conditions. Increasingly frequent episodes of extreme heat are having an adverse effect on school activities, whose duration may have to be shortened or pace slackened. Fitting facilities with air conditioning does not always solve the problem and may even contribute to discomfort or worsen health conditions, often as a result of insufficient ventilation. Users have traditionally adopted measures to adapt to these situations, particularly in warm climates where mechanical refrigeration is absent or unavailable. Implementation of such measures or of natural ventilation is not always possible or their efficacy is limited in school environments, however. Such constraints, especially in a context where reasonable energy use and operating costs are a primary concern, inform the need to identify the factors that contribute to users’ perceptions of comfort. This study deploys a post-occupancy strategy combined with participatory action to empower occupants as agents actively engaging in their own comfort. It addresses user-identified classroom comfort parameters potentially applicable in the design and layout of thermally suitable spaces meriting occupant acceptance.

Daylight dynamic metrics provide an alternative approach for the assessment of the energy savings promoted by lighting control systems. This research aims to quantify the energy savings allowed by lighting smart controls using continuous and overcast daylight autonomy, novel metrics tested monitoring a mesh of illuminance-meters in test cells over a one-year period. Three types of smart controls are proposed, based on switches and dimmers, some of which were managed by illuminance-meters and irradiance detectors. Energy savings are assessed according to weather data, room dimensions, inner reflectances, window size and user requirements—illuminance needs and working hours. The results show a reduction in the average energy consumption of electric lighting of up to 23%, suggesting the suitability of the smart controls proposed. Smart controls without illuminance-meter feedback are only recommended for shallow rooms with low requirements, while dark deep rooms demand a complex dimming system managed by external illuminance-meters.

La sociedad contemporánea se enfrenta a crisis simultáneas —climática, energética, económica y sanitaria—, cuya confluencia puede desencadenar un cambio de paradigma con un nuevo modelo energético. El consumo energético de los edificios supone un tercio del consumo energético total en los países occidentales. En España, sólo el consumo energético de energía final del sector residencial supone el 18,1% del total. A pesar de la importancia del Consumo Energético Residencial (CER) en las políticas de lucha contra el cambio climático, falta información, estudios y estadísticas accesibles sobre su naturaleza, a una escala adecuada. Sin embargo, compañías energéticas sí gestionan y explotan esos datos, sin que esa información trascienda a la sociedad para generar conocimiento. La tesis ofrece una alternativa a la carencia de información sobre el CER proponiendo modelos predictivos basados en datos abiertos —open data—actualizados y procesos de código abierto —open source—, que abarcan desde la escala regional-municipal (municipios de una región) a la urbana (edificios de un municipio). Ese es su principal objetivo. Los datos se estructuran fundamentalmente en tres categorías de información implicadas en el CER: lugar, población y parque residencial. Los modelos se aplican a Andalucía y Jaén, región y ciudad considerados como casos de estudio. La metodología empleada se adapta a la naturaleza de los datos y las escalas de estudio. Para ello se desarrollan procesos de ciencia de datos, incluyendo minería de datos (clustering) y técnicas de aprendizaje automático —machine learning—. Para gestionar la información y elaborar los modelos en ambas escalas se combina el uso de sistemas de información geográfica (GIS) y modelizado energético de edificios a escala urbana (UBEM). El hecho de que la metodología propuesta se base en la explotación de datos abiertos, así como en el uso de herramientas de código abierto, favorece su implementación en otras regiones y ciudades mediterrán

La sociedad contemporánea se enfrenta a crisis simultáneas —climática, energética, económica y sanitaria—, cuya confluencia puede desencadenar un cambio de paradigma con un nuevo modelo energético. El consumo energético de los edificios supone un tercio del consumo energético total en los países occidentales. En España, sólo el consumo energético de energía final del sector residencial supone el 18,1% del total. A pesar de la importancia del Consumo Energético Residencial (CER) en las políticas de lucha contra el cambio climático, falta información, estudios y estadísticas accesibles sobre su naturaleza, a una escala adecuada. Sin embargo, compañías energéticas sí gestionan y explotan esos datos, sin que esa información trascienda a la sociedad para generar conocimiento. La tesis ofrece una alternativa a la carencia de información sobre el CER proponiendo modelos predictivos basados en datos abiertos —open data—actualizados y procesos de código abierto —open source—, que abarcan desde la escala regional-municipal (municipios de una región) a la urbana (edificios de un municipio). Ese es su principal objetivo. Los datos se estructuran fundamentalmente en tres categorías de información implicadas en el CER: lugar, población y parque residencial. Los modelos se aplican a Andalucía y Jaén, región y ciudad considerados como casos de estudio. La metodología empleada se adapta a la naturaleza de los datos y las escalas de estudio. Para ello se desarrollan procesos de ciencia de datos, incluyendo minería de datos (clustering) y técnicas de aprendizaje automático —machine learning—. Para gestionar la información y elaborar los modelos en ambas escalas se combina el uso de sistemas de información geográfica (GIS) y modelizado energético de edificios a escala urbana (UBEM). El hecho de que la metodología propuesta se base en la explotación de datos abiertos, así como en el uso de herramientas de código abierto, favorece su implementación en otras regiones y ciudades mediterrán

The study and assessment of ecosystem services through remote sensing has increased substantially over the last two decades, as evidenced by the publication of studies that have applied it. The technological development of satellite images has improved in terms of spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal resolution, allowing the space-time observation, classification and monitoring of vegetation on the surface of the Earth. However, there are remaining methodological challenges for assessing ecosystem services due to the diversity of applications, the resources used, and its study in complex environments such as cities. This systematic review is based on identifying and analysing the variety of methods concerning the application of remote sensing for the assessment of ecosystem services provided by vegetation in cities, through a classification of these methods according to the data collection source (passive sensors, passive and active sensors and the fusion of other data sources with sensors). The classification of methods has been applied to a selection of existing articles in indexed scientific databases based on a non-statistical meta-analysis that make a direct reference to the topic of interest. The results show the approaches found in every method classified, their relationships with the geographical scale and the image resolutions used, and the advantages and limitations from the data processes that comprise remote sensing. We conclude from this analysis with three key factors to consider in the selection of remote sensing methods for the assessment of ecosystem services provided by urban vegetation: the definition of the approach(es), the urban scale to be assessed, and the image resolution available.

Las estaciones de metro son espacios de alta densidad de ocupación y elevado nivel de rotación, frente a un tiempo corto de permanencia. El sistema de metro de la ciudad de Sevilla se compone de tres tipologías de estación: subterránea, semisoterrada y en superficie, diferenciándose de otras arquitecturas de transporte en que los espacios invaden el plano bajo rasante. En las estaciones, la calidad del aire varía en función a diversos condicionantes: contaminación del aire tanto interior como exterior, arquitectura de la estación y número de viajeros. Otros factores a considerar son el sistema de frenado de los trenes y el aire que se intercambia en las estaciones al abrirse las puertas de los coches y realizarse el intercambio de pasajeros. Es objetivo de este trabajo el determinar la calidad del aire en estos espacios, así como la influencia de la arquitectura en ella y sus efectos en los usuarios de Metro Sevilla., Subway stations are high density and rotation spaces, against short time permanence. The metro system of Seville is made up three station typologies: underground, half-buried and above surface, differing from other transport architecture in the fact that the spaces invade the area underneath the ground. In the stations, air quality varies depending on various determinants: indoor and outdoor pollution, the station’s architecture and number of passengers. Other factors to consider are the braking system of the trains and the exchanged air in the stations when the doors of the cars open and the exchange of passengers takes place. The objective of this work is to determine the air quality in these spaces, as well as the influence of the architectura and its effects on the users of Metro Sevilla.

The COVID-19 emergency has shown that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is especially relevant in poorly bad ventilated spaces with high occupancy density, like non-university classrooms, a widespread space typology with very sensitive occupants. Of these, pre-school classrooms stand out, due to the vulnerability of children. Thus, this study has estimated the existing transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 in a pre-school classroom, due to the especial vulnerability of the children, regarding to different indoor CO2 excess levels. This statistical evaluation has been performed through 68 calculation hypotheses, grouped into 4 cases, according to who is the primary infected occupant (one of the children or the teacher) and depending on whether the teacher wears a mask or not. It can be concluded that, to have acceptable risk conditions for airborne disease transmission (with one infected occupant) in pre-school classrooms, it is necessary to maintain sufficient ventilation conditions to reach a maximum average excess CO2 level exhaled of 150 ppm, while teachers should wear well fitting N95 respirators. In this way, infection risk is much higher when the primary infected occupant is the teacher and is wearing no mask or a surgical one - 5 or 6 times more.

Han trascurrido ya 12 años desde la implantación del llamado Plan Bolonia II, consecuencia de la Declaración de Bolonia realizada en 1999. Dicha declaración fue un acuerdo firmado por varios ministros de educación de diferentes países que pertenecen a la Unión Europea (en adelante UE), de un nuevo plan de estudios que permitiese facilitar la intercambio entre países de los titulados. Esta adaptación hacia el nuevo modelo de educación y aprendizaje tuvo su base en la adaptación y seguimiento de las directrices marcadas por el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior184 (EEES). Este acontecimiento tuvo como consecuencia grandes cambios en el sistema educativo de estudios superiores en España. En primer lugar, es imprescindible resaltar el gran cambio que supuso la transformación del modelo educativo tradicional a la formación basada en competencias profesionales. Para obtener dichas competencias se debe observar en el alumnado la capacidad de llevar a cabo una tarea de manera eficaz mediante habilidades, actitudes, valores y conocimientos de la materia en cuestión. Esto supone un cambio con respecto a la antigua enseñanza que se basaba en probar que el alumnado obtenía competencias meramente profesionales relacionadas con la materia que se estudiaba y dónde el alumnado no participaba activamente en su aprendizaje (Pallisera, Fullana, Planas y Del Valle, 2010). En concreto, en España todas las carreras universitarias pasaron a ser denominados como grados y a tener 240 créditos European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (en adelante ECTS), lo que se tradujo en una duración de 4 años, 60 créditos por curso. Existen otros países que optaron porque sus grados tuvieran un total de 180 créditos ECTS y una duración, por tanto, de 3 años como por ejemplo Luxemburgo, Hungría o Bélgica. Cada crédito se traduce en la medida de trabajo realizado por un estudiante, normalmente entre 25 o 30 horas semanales (en ellas se incluyen clases lectivas, teóricas o prácticas, horas de est

Several studies indicate that more than one in three children in Europe has bronchial asthma or allergies. The rate of respiratory diseases is progressively increasing and that there is also a clear relationship between school performance and indoor air quality. The increase in IAQ in children's schools produces a decrease in the demand for pediatric health care. The main objective of this project is to analyze the shelter capacity of children's schools against poliution phenomena, through the identification and evaluation of the key parameters in the environmental quality of children's schools. A primary purpose of the project is the transfer of the results to the education sector so that we all hecome aware of the problems caused by IAQ and be able to improve it. The methodology proposed includes: the characterization of IAQ and outdoor air quality based on in situ measurement of the main eniromental variables; the assessment of its sheler capacity, conducting surveys for teachers and students on enviromental quality; and the execution of awareness activities that reinforce the participatory process in the project of the educational community. This method is innovative because it has been studied transversally between different disciplines to respond to the problem both technically and from awareness and social education.

Airborne transmission has been widely proven to be the main means of contagion of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) , as multiple studies have established (Greenhalgh et al., 2021; Miller et al., 2021; Lidia Morawska & Cao, 2020; Tang et al., 2021; World Health Organization, 2021), Furthermore, the main documented COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred indoors (Qian et al., 2021; Randall et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2022), with medium and long-range transmission —beyond 1.5 m— as a especially relevant transmission way in poorly bad ventilated spaces (Li, 2021; Z. Peng et al., 2022). Thus, it is necessary to promote healthy indoor spaces through self-protection practices and an adequate indoor air quality (IAQ). In this way, the removal of the virus-containing aerosols from indoor air —either by ventilation, air filtration or UV radiation— must be an essential part of the prevention strategy. One of the main ways to assess the degradation of the IAQ in occupied spaces —with no other significant sources or sinks of indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) — is monitoring the indoor CO2 level. This parameter can be a good proxy —affordable and easy to handle— to evaluate and control the aforementioned ventilation rates, especially in spaces with high occupancy density (American National Standards Institute and American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 2019; Pavilonis, Ierardi, Levine, Mirer, & Kelvin, 2021; Z. Peng et al., 2022; Persily & de Jonge, 2017; Zhu et al., 2020). Given that virus-containing aerosols are emitted during the respiratory process as CO2 does, the measurement of the excess CO2 level exhaled (∆CO2) can also be used to estimate the airborne transmission risk of respiratory diseases such SARS-CoV-2, tuberculosis, or measles. Thus, the estimation of the COVID-19 infection risk indoors ―strictly via aerosols― can be performed with the online tool COVID Risk airborne (https://www.covidairbornerisk.com/), a non-profit