Characteristics of the environmental and energy behaviour of contemporary urban buildings in...

The elements which determine the behaviour of buildings in the context of their interaction with the environment reflect certain design and construction choices. These choices, apart from their need to be compatible with the climate of the area in which the buildings they relate to are situated, are also dependent on a number of other factors of a geographical nature (e.g. availability of materials, legislation, traditions). It is therefore logical that they should vary from country to country and from one area to another. This study examines the particular characteristics that de