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This study investigates the characteristics of formaldehyde (HCHO) concentration and its reduction in newly constructed apartment buildings in Dubai. It addresses the significant health risks of high HCHO levels due to poor ventilation and extensive use of VOC-emitting materials. The research explores the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies, including air purifiers, photocatalyst applications, and window ventilation, in the living room, master bedroom (MBR), Room 1, and Room 2. HCHO concentrations were measured under different conditions: sealed windows, operation of an air purifier with a VOCs filter, and the application of a photocatalyst. The study followed a quantitative approach, recording real-time HCHO levels over 24 h. Results indicated that sealing windows led to HCHO concentrations surpassing the domestic standard of 0.1 ppm, with the MBR recording the highest concentration at 0.73 ppm. The air purifier showed minimal impact within the first 8 h but achieved an 18% reduction after 24 h of operation. Applying a photocatalyst to room surfaces resulted in a 50% reduction in HCHO levels. Ventilation through window openings significantly improved air exchange rates, with the air exchange per hour (ACH) increasing proportionally with window opening size. Smaller rooms with larger window-to-volume ratios, such as Room 1 and Room 2, maintained HCHO concentrations below the WHO standard of 0.1 ppm with partial window openings. The study concludes that window ventilation is the most effective strategy for reducing HCHO concentrations, highlighting the importance of integrating comprehensive ventilation designs in modern residential buildings to ensure healthier indoor environments in Dubai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-evolving threats presented by climate change compel us to rethink and restructure our built environment, particularly housing designs, to imbue them with resilience and adaptability. In this research, this study has embarked on an exhaustive review of scholarly works to identify design harmonies that can enhance the resilience of housing structures under fluctuating climate circumstances, particularly flooding results from unexpected heavy rains. The study's purview extends to diverse case studies from Northern and Southern parts of Pakistan experienced unprecedent rains and flooding, elucidating the unique obstacles and environmental variances across these regions. The literature review spans across several disciplines, exploring resilience in housing design from architectural, environmental, health and socio-economic angles. It provides an in-depth examination of established methodologies and innovative trends, with an emphasis on merging ancestral wisdom with modern advancements. This holistic approach underscores the significance of community-based design solutions, active community involvement, and policy structures in cultivating resilience. The case studies from different flood affecting regions of Pakistan serve as practical examples, shedding light on the unique climatic adversities and identifying 14 critical housing defects caused by natural disasters. By juxtaposing these diverse climatic settings, this study determine design and protection guidelines that can be customized to cater to each region's specific requirements, fostering a resilient housing infrastructure capable of weathering climate change impacts. In conclusion this study underscores the importance of adopting both immediate and long-term strategies for housing design in response to climate change. By synthesizing the valuable insights gleaned from the literature review and case studies, a set of recommendations for architects, urban planners, and policymakers are suggested to promote resilient housing design, not only within Pakistan but on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city of Dubai has a population of 3.34 million and boasts 65 shopping malls, with an additional 10 currently under construction. As a result of the oppressive climate, shopping malls have emerged as de facto community centers and public squares where Dubai residents can congregate, socialize, and participate in various events. This paper aims to examine the spatial features of indoor and outdoor rest areas within Dubai's shopping malls and identify key factors that can enhance user satisfaction in each area. To achieve this, literature studies were conducted to extract evaluation factors, such as comfort, aesthetics, convenience, and accessibility for rest areas adjacent to the escalator, restroom, open corridor, and outdoor locations. An empirical study was then carried out, where field observations and user-satisfaction surveys were conducted in the indoor and outdoor rest areas of three prominent malls, namely the Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City, and Mirdif City Center. The results of the study indicate that in open-corridor rest areas, easy access was highly rated in the satisfaction survey, while noise and privacy maintenance received lower ratings. Comparatively, outdoor rest areas scored higher on the satisfaction survey than indoor rest areas, such as the rest area next to the escalator, open-corridor rest area, and rest area next to the bathroom. This study's findings can provide a foundation for future rest-area planning that better reflects the needs and desires of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor landscaping is an environmentally friendly approach that enriches the environment and fosters productivity and comfort for occupants. The practice of incorporating plants into interior spaces requires meticulous care to ensure healthy growth and prolong the benefits of interior greening. This study explores the impact of natural and artificial light, represented by fluorescent lighting on the growth and physiological responses of Codiaeum variegatum and Ardisia japonica. A natural light chamber and an artificial light chamber of identical dimensions were constructed to compare the plants' physiological responses under consistent temperature, humidity, and illuminance conditions. The results indicate that Codiaeum variegatum and Ardisia japonica exhibited higher chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rates under natural light conditions compared to fluorescent lighting. Furthermore, the study found that natural light offers a rich spectral distribution across various wavelengths, providing an advantage for plant growth. Although direct comparisons between natural and artificial light environments are inherently challenging due to the distinct characteristics of each light source, the study emphasizes the importance of considering the rich spectral distribution of natural light when designing artificial lighting systems for optimal plant growth. In conclusion, understanding the effects of natural and artificial light on indoor plants is crucial to supporting plant growth and creating more effective indoor gardening solutions. Although direct comparisons between natural and artificial light environments are inherently challenging due to the distinct characteristics of each light source, natural light provides a more advantageous environment for growth compared to fluorescent lighting, with Codiaeum variegatum and Ardisia japonica both exhibiting a higher chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate under natural light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air pollution has become a pressing issue in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to poor ventilation, inadequate airtightness, and using chemicals in building materials. Accordingly, the UAE is currently experiencing more cases of sick building syndrome (SBS) than any other country. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the bake-out strategy in reducing indoor air pollutants in a new apartment building in the UAE. The study evaluated a reduction in toluene (C7H8), ethylbenzene (C8H10), xylene (C8H10), styrene (C8H8), and formaldehyde (HCHO) at room temperature and relative humidity. The airtight unit without winter bake-out had higher indoor concentrations of hazardous chemicals than the ventilated units, and the emission of dangerous substances increased with temperature. Moreover, harmful chemicals were only effectively reduced with ventilation times of at least seven days after the heating period. The release rate of contaminants after the bake-out was lower than before. The indoor concentration of hazardous chemicals was lower when bake-out and mechanical ventilation were combined, resulting in a reduction of 92.8% of HCHO. Furthermore, units with a certain amount of ventilation maintained a low indoor pollutant concentration, regardless of whether a bake-out was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing cooling loads in hot countries requires thermal insulation, and cooling methods be improved. Evaporative cooling, although problematic, is one solution that can be explored since it is significantly more efficient than regular compressor air conditioners, and the net result of using one is cooling. Furthermore, while compressor air conditioner efficiency decreases with rising temperatures in summer, evaporative ones, up to a point, are the exact opposite. A novel hybrid cooling system capable of combining both showed an 80% decrease in cooling load. The system's efficacy was assessed in this paper by thermally simulating designs that are suitable for the hot Middle East region. Two locations with different environments and building guidelines that are representative of the variations in the area were selected. The first was the hot, dry Baghdad environment; the other was Dubai's coastal, more humid city. Two different houses were designed to suit the municipal rules of each and accommodate the hybrid cooling system. As expected, the simulation results showed that savings in the dry Baghdad climate were high at 78% compared to a non-insulated alternative. In Dubai, unsurprisingly, they were less at 52% on the more humid coast. Further simulations revealed that this latter figure in the humid coast could also be achieved using good thermal insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]