WSP Environmental - Evaluation of wind comfort levels around building developments

WSP Company Profile

WSP Environmental is established as one of the world’s leading environmental and energy consultancies, providing innovative and commercial solutions to environment related business issues.  Operating in the global marketplace, they specialise in the identification, evaluation and mitigation of environmental and social risks, advising clients in managing risks and making sustainable business improvements.

Background

WSP Environmental advise designers on the environmental impacts of new development schemes and help designers achieve excellent BREEAM ratings. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is the worlds most widely used means for auditing and improving the environmental performance of buildings and is established as offering best practice in environmental design and management.

When planning a new development, designers need to understand the local wind environment and what impact, if any, it will have on pedestrian comfort and safety.  A pedestrian wind study, along with other wind environment studies, is required by planners as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment for new large developments.