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We are pleased to announce the publication of an article by Dr Krzysztof Siwek and Dr Krzysztof Bartoszek (Department of Hydrology and Climatology UMCS) in the journal Applied Sciences:
Grudzińska, M., Stabryła, R., Siwek, K., Bartoszek, K., Wankiewicz, J., 2024. Perception of summer conditions in prefabricated multifamily buildings occupied by middle-aged and elderly people based on monitoring of dwellings in warm-summer humid continental climate. Applied Sciences, 14(24), 11505. https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411505
This article addresses the critically important issue of thermal comfort for residents of prefabricated multifamily buildings in Lublin, with a particular focus on middle-aged and elderly people. The study was conducted in the context of increasing risks of indoor overheating due to climate change and the limited passive cooling options in buildings constructed between 1968 and 1984. Microclimatic parameters of dwellings in the Rury and Czuby districts were monitored, including indoor and outdoor air temperatures, solar radiation intensity (both direct and diffuse), and the cooling strategies employed by residents.
The findings highlight significant problems related to overheating, especially in flats located on the top floors and in buildings with insufficient thermal insulation. It was observed that the orientation of dwellings played a key role in their susceptibility to overheating—flats with windows facing south-west were more prone to overheating than those with eastern or northern exposure. Among the cooling strategies adopted, night ventilation and window shading were the most commonly used, while mechanical cooling was less frequently employed.
The article provides practical recommendations for architects, property managers, and residents, emphasising the need to adapt multifamily buildings to changing climatic conditions. Special attention was given to the needs of elderly people, who are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of overheating. This study represents an important contribution to the development of adaptive strategies in residential construction.
Congratulations to the authors, and we encourage you to read this inspiring open-access article!
Publication list of Institute staff
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