https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5833 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:20:09 GMT 2026-04-22T01:20:09Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6177 Investigating the Thermal Comfort and Well-Being of Differently Abled War Veterans’ Housing in Sri Lanka Kudasinghe, KSKNJ; Premarathne, KDHJ; Nawarathne, NMRAT Wellbeing in the indoor built environment has become a crucial research topic in relation to thermal comfort which helps to improve sustainable built environments. Thus, thermal comfort requirements for humans is the main consideration in building design. It is important to consider comfort and wellbeing of people with physical disabilities. Thus, this research was conducted to investigate the indoor environment quality of spaces in relation to the ‘thermal comfort in physically disabled war veterans’ housing in the Sri Lankan context. An on-field investigation was carried out to obtain physical measurements of microclimatic parameters of interiors including indoor temperature, relative humidity and air velocity. Secondary data were collected through semi structured interviews. Results explicitly prove that the mean value of the operative temperature is 32.2°C, which is above the ASHARE 55-2013 standard for comfortable thermal conditions. Mean wind velocity is 0.25m/s, is low, as there is a high operative temperature adequate interior ventilation needs to be provided. The Humphries comfort equation states the required comfort temperature is 28.92°C, but the obtained mean operative temperature is more than this comfort temperature, which proves that the interiors are overheated. The most common adaptive behaviour of the veterans are switching fans on and moving toward open spaces. Results also indicate that there is a psychological link with thermal adaptive behaviour as these veterans opt to remain in free outdoor spaces rather than in confined spaces as their battlefields. Thus, this research paper highlights on the thermal conditions needed for interior spaces for disabled war veterans and in the long-run contributes to regulations to add developments to the National Policy on Disability in Sri Lanka. Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6177 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6175 Investigating the Potential of Utilizing Simulation Studies to Identify UHI Mitigatory Strategies in Proposed Cities Gunawardhana, IUK; Rupasinghe, HT Rapid development of urban areas catalysed the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas. This led to the demand for more dwelling places. Urbanisation and industrialisation caused the replacement of permeable land cover into impermeable materials. More solar radiation is absorbed by impermeable materials as it has thermal bulk properties and causes for the increase of urban temperature. Change in urban microclimate causes the phenomenon to be identified as urban heat island effect, which is identified from the temperature difference between urban and rural areas. In Sri Lanka, a few researches have been conducted on UHI effect for developed and existing cities. Identifying potential UHI mitigatory steps is vital when designing urbanities. Therefore, analysing UHI effect and possible mitigatory strategies for proposed cities through simulation studies are highly beneficial in developing sustainable cities. The research focused on investigating the potential of utilising simulation studies to identify UHI mitigatory steps for proposed cities in local context. Rhino 3D simulation software was utilized for the study. The paper presents the results of initial studies conducted. Research methods and workflow developed through the study can be utilised to evaluate the UHI effect, mean radiant temperature (MRT) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI) to identify outdoor thermal comfort. This software and methodology can be used for future developments to identify the UHI effect as a result of the completion of the project and mitigation methods that can be used to negate the UHI effect and enhance human comfort. Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6175 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6174 Contribution of Green Buildings towards Achieving Sustainability: A Perspective of Leed-Certified Buildings in Sri Lanka Weerasinghe, AS; Ramachandra, T; Madushika, UGD Recently, the focus on green buildings has come to the forefront in many countries. However, in the context of Sri Lanka, the number of green-certified buildings seems to be still at a minimal level and the focus is solely on the energy efficiency features. Although green buildings are meant to be sustainable, the level of incorporation of sustainable features and their contribution to sustainability is questionable. Therefore, the current study aims to examine the extent of incorporation of sustainable features in green-certified buildings in Sri Lanka. A review was conducted into the USGBC database and the profile of green-certified buildings in Sri Lanka was examined to identify the extent of green certification in Sri Lankan buildings and their level of achieving sustainable features. The reasons for the level of achievement of those sustainable features were then identified by interviewing professionals who engaged in green buildings. Accordingly, the selected buildings have over 80% of achievement in terms of water efficiency and sustainable sites, while other design features such as energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, and material and resources are achieved below 50%. Further, energy and atmosphere, and indoor environmental quality features require alternatives with higher initial cost, early commitment, and an integrated design process. Most of the time, energy and indoor environmental quality features seem easy to achieve, but often turn out to be far more complicated, and thus less feasible, than anticipated. Knowing sustainabe achievement of features would enable green building investors to select the most appropriate features for a given construction. Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6174 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6173 Sustainable Tourism in Hikkaduwa; Evaluations of Sustainability Parameters and Design Recommendations Silva, THSPL; Warakagoda, DM; Ariyarathne, KGKS; Mendis, T; Lakmali, RGN This research intends to identify the factors that influence the tourism industry of the Hikkaduwa coastal area and to give an overall architectural guideline to implement sustainable tourism. At present, rapid and unsustainable development of the Hikkaduwa area has caused different kinds of environmental, economic and social issues. Many of those cases have been identified and studied on coastal tourism, sustainable parameters and existing regulations related to urban planning to give out solutions. Based on these studies, a case study was done for identifying the special characteristics of Hikkaduwa for modifying and adjusting the parameters that are fitting for Hikkaduwa. While following these parameters, the study has proposed a suitable design guideline for the overall Hikkaduwa study area. These proposed parameters and guidelines are supportive to the existing regulations and these architectural solutions have been implementing the criteria for sustainable development automatically. Therefore, the study contributes new knowledge for achieving sustainable development and creating a city on sustainable tourism. Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6173 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z