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African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management ISSN 2375-0707 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 255-265, February, 
2016. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 

Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 

 
 

Full Length Research Paper 
 

A study of how tall buildings influence climatic factors 
and the need to create a different microclimate in a 

district  
 

Serour Abdeslam 
 

Senior Lecturer, Architecture Department, University of Chlef, Algeria. 
E-mail: serour_abdeslam@gmail.com 

 

Accepted 12 December, 2015 

 

The gradual change of climatic factors in a large agglomeration is primarily related to the expansion of 
urbanization. The construction of high-rise districts is currently in fashion worldwide, in part because high-rise 
buildings provide an image of prestige and prosperity for the country. However, the essential purpose of 
constructing high-rise buildings is to group together a large community in a restricted space. The aim of this 
study is to understand how tall buildings influence climatic factors and create a different microclimate in the 
district. This study is based on a 4-year series of measurements of the influence of the high-rise district of La 
Défense in Paris, France on climatic factors and air-pollution patterns. The results show that the construction of 
high-rise district creates a microclimate having higher temperatures than otherwise. Thus, high-rises tend to 
reinforce the phenomenon of urban heat islands. The construction of high-rises also has advantages as shown 
in this study, the upper-floor quarters benefit from natural air conditioning and a lower concentration of 
pollution. The construction and management of high-rise districts within cities is thus very important, and can 
generally lead to ecosystems with microclimates that are more favourable to urban dwellers 
 
Key words: impact, tall buildings, climatic factors, air pollution. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
In recent years, there is a very strong tendency to 
construct buildings that are part of a sustainable 
development approach. The construction of landmark 
buildings in major cities around the world is justified by a 
lack of space and a desire for prestige, prosperity, and 
the development of architecture and tourism (IngegaÈrd, 
2000). We are currently witnessing a renewed interest in 
high-rise districts in major cities worldwide and less 
interest in green spaces (Berkowicz et al, 1996). The 
construction of a high-rise adds value to the surrounding 
district. However, the impact of this type of urban 
development on the climate of the megacities, on public 
health and urban planning, and on the environment has 
been the subject of few studies (Escourrou, 1981). 
Research in this area is important, if only to minimize 
modifications of the microclimate and to monitor noxious 
emissions. 

 

 
 
The objective of this study is to see the influence of the 

construction of buildings of great heights and climatic 
factors on the distribution of air pollution.  
This article is part of a 4 years long study devoted to “the 
influence of urban development on the climate and air 
pollution in the Paris region”. To compare the results, 
several measurement locations were chosen. The Point 1 
measurement is outside the high-rise towers; the 
measuring point 2 is located between the high-rise towers 
and the Point 3 measurement is located between Parisian 
buildings with an average of 5-6 floors. We identified 
these three measurement points which we considered 
essential to this study as periphery, centre, out of the 
area. Other points have been studied in this long study, 
but in this article, only these three measurement points 
are mentioned. To compare the evolution of climatic 
factors between one place and another, it is necessary 



Abdeslam         256 
 
 

 
that the measurement points are the same.  

These are the three different points (just outside the 
towers, in the towers, and far from the towers) that show 
the significant impacts of towers on climatic factors and 
the distribution of air pollution. In this article, the 
examples chosen give the best results and an overview 
of the numerous campaigns of measurement that have 
been undertaken.  

The present study, we intended to focus exclusively on 
the determination of the repartition of the air 
temperatures, humidity, pollutants surrounding the area 
towers.  
This study offers some new elements in order to increase 
the understanding of the importance of a good planning 
of the cities on climate and pollution. 
 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 
This article is part of a study on "An example of the 
changing climate due to the constructions in the Paris 
region". This study required an intensive measurement 
campaign over a period of four years. We tried to see the 
influence of local amenities on the different climatic 
factors (temperature, humidity and wind) and the  
distribution of air pollution. 

The examples given (average of several 
measurements distributed over 4 years) refer to the most 
frequent cases found during our measurement 
campaigns in different seasons of the year.  
In this study, measurements of air temperature and 
relative humidity are taken outside at height of about 1.80 
meters with a probe. The final value is recorded on an 
average of 20 seconds, time it takes for the probe to give 
the most accurate value.  
The measurements of the factors climate and the 
pollutants have been taken in different locations. In this 
paper, to compare the climatic factors and the rate of 
pollution in this area, we focused the study on 3 
measurement sites.  

The principle of measurements is to record climatic 
factors (temperature, humidity, direction and wind speed) 
and the rate of pollutants (CO, CO2 and SO2) in different 
places in a district at a period of time with the same 
apparatus.  
The device to measure temperature and humidity is a 
portable air intake. Wind measurements are taken with 
nanometer. The device of measurement of pollutants is a 
gas detector (the manufacturer of these devices is 
TROTEC).  
In this article, the examples summarize most cases in the 
measurement campaign. The pollutant measurements 
are limited to two pollutants: 

 

  
 
 
 
- Carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless and toxic 
gas. It is produced during incomplete combustions,   
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted from domestic homes and  
industrial sources. 
Concentrations of pollutants are given in ppm = 
2900µg/m3; values are recorded over 20 seconds (time 
necessary for the conditioner unit of measurement gives 
an accurate value) at one meter above the ground 
surface. The wind speed (m/s) was measured with a 
manometer, the recorded direction is that found with a 
wire.  

If variations in measurements are not significant 
between the beginning and the end at a given point, the 
estimate is considered exact (few variations of the 
climatic factors were observed during the measurement 
process).  
The apparatus made it possible to compare two recorded 
values in two different places. The apparatus does not 
always find the same values as those recorded by 
weather stations, as recorded and provided by weather 
forecast of France. Others have been published in the 
monthly departmental bulletins of the Paris region, which 
exist in the Library of National Meteorology, Avenue 
Rapp, in Paris.  
This work provides a new contribution to consideration of 
spaces to improve the urban climate and mitigate air 
pollution. The results can be used in future planning of 
the urban development. 
 
 
RESULTS 
 
Effect Of High-Rise Towers On Temperature 
 
La Défense, in the west of Paris, is the first European 
business district by the extent of its office park. It is 
located in the Hauts-de-Seine in the territories of Puteaux, 
Courbevoie and Nanterre in the wake of the historic axis 
of Paris that starts at the Louvre and continues with the 
Champs Elysees, the Arc of Triomphe, and beyond to the 
bridge of Neuilly and the Arche de La Défense. The 
architectural ensemble known as the district of La Défense 
in Paris (France) is a development model inspired by 
American urban planning in which high-rise buildings 
reach significant heights and have glass exteriors 
(Figure.1). The general layout of the neighborhood of 
Défense has been designed according to the principles of 
the modern movement between 1960 and 1980. This type 
of district is increasingly common worldwide, especially in 
large cities of developed countries.  

The development of this kind of district in the western 
Parisian periphery is certain to have repercussions on 
local climatic factors. Another factor in the strengthening 
 



257        Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 1 View of the La Defense and various point of measurement 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 2 The maximum average air temperatures between the area towers of La Défense and 

the Paris centre 
 
 
 
and expansion of the urban heat island in Paris is that 
this region is one of the most populated in the world. Its 
population increased from 1,35 millions in 1805 people 
has more than 15 million in 2008 (Escourrou, 1981). The 
intensity of the heat island is Proportional to the number 
of population (Escourrou, 1981).Central Paris has seen 
its temperature rise because of intense urban 

 
 
 
development (Calvet, 1984), and the temperature 
increase is especially pronounced in western areas 
because of the construction of this high-rise district 
(Escourrou, 1981). An examination of the maximum 
average air temperatures (Figure. 2), between the towers 
of La Défense and central Paris over a 24 years period 
reveals that the central Paris was hotter when  

 



Abdeslam         258 
 
 
 
Table 1. Air temperature and humidity around the large high-rise buildings of La 

Défense during cold and hot periods (average of 10 measurements) 
 
 Measurement Period Tp°C HR % 
     

 Outside tours (point 1) Cold period 10,5 60 
 Between towers (point 2) Cold period 11 57,8 
 Outside tours (point 1) Hot period 23 50 
 Between towers (point 2) Hot period 25 45 

 
 
construction La Défense started. During the expansion of 
this region in the west of Paris and the acceleration of 
urbanization, the Defense became hotter than the centre 
of Paris.  

The construction of the La Défense district started in 
1970, at which time the maximum average air 
temperatures in central Paris were greater than those at 
La Défense. From 1975 the district of La Défense 
became hotter than central Paris, which itself has air 
temperatures significantly above those of the wider Paris 
region. This island of urban heat that accumulates over 
major cities (Fukuoka, 1983) is due to  
- Human activities such as heating and lighting,  
- Restitution of diurnal and nocturnal thermal energy 
stocked in the housing,  
- The capacity to reflect solar radiation. The non-
absorbent ground and the exterior building walls allow the 
passage of a large fraction of the incident energy, and the 
accumulation of this energy within the buildings increases 
its intensity. This phenomenon is well known in cities, 
especially in summer when the solar radiation flux is 
greater (Eliasson and Holmer, 1990).   
An area that is built up absorbs much more energy (85%) 
(Escourrou, 1995), so the formation of a heat island is 
understandable, although several urban measurements   
can reduce the magnitude of the heat island, such as the 
establishment of green spaces or waterways. These 
developments are increasingly rare in major cities and 
new urban projects.  

The city centre is generally the warmest part of a town 
throughout the year (Kwi-Gon-Kim, 1989). Diurnal energy 
storage in urban areas by impervious soil and into 
buildings is restored to the atmosphere especially at night. 
This phenomenon is very common during summer, when 
the contribution of Luminous Efficiency is very important. 
During cold periods, during our measurement campaigns, 
the temperature difference between large urban areas and 
surrounding areas is quite small (average of 10 
measurements distributed over 4 years) (table. 1), which 
is due mainly to the large spaces between towers and 
consequent breeze circulation, which minimizes the 
accumulation of heat and the formation of urban heat 
islands, which minimizes the accumulation of heat and the 
formation of urban heat islands. Knowing that the 

 
 
breeze is a light wind, whose speed is low (1m/s) blowing 
from a cold to a warm place. This phenomenon is very 
common in urban areas (Retting and al, 2003).  
Outside the high-rise district, the warming effect due to 
the heat transfer is reduced compared to areas between 
or very close to the high-rise buildings (Nethery, 2007).  

The outer walls of the facades of buildings are 
characterized by good thermal insulation. Much of the 
radiating sun is refracted outward participant increasing 
ambient air temperature (Spiller, 1993). The outer 
sheathing of the large buildings reflects a significant part 
of the incident solar radiation away from the building, 
encouraging a temperature increase between the high-
rises, and the formation of an urban heat island (Spiller, 
1993). This explains why, during hot periods, La Défense 
becomes hotter than central Paris from 9 in the morning 
to 8 in the evening (Figure. 3). In winter, to make towers 
area more livable, enormous amounts of energy are 
consumed (heating, lighting and human activities) before 
being discharged to the outside: the tower district is 
warmer than in the surrounding area without having 
necessarily more comfortable. The planner must focus 
not only on the maps of urbanization but also to the 
comforts of urban and microclimates generated by the 
various urban developments, which can have very 
negative effects.  

During sunny periods, during our measurement 
campaigns, the temperature difference between the inside 
and the outside of high-rises in La Défense may exceed 2 
°C (average of several measurements distributed over 4 
years). This excess of temperature is mainly due to 
reflection of solar radiation by the outer coating of the 
glass towers of La Défense. Indeed, when two 
environments show significant differences in temperature, 
a breeze, whose speed is generally less than 1m/s, comes 
from the cold space to the warm space. These homes 
have natural air conditioning and are well suited to people 
that do not support an increase in temperature. The 
warming effect is felt primarily between buildings (Park, 
2002), where the wind speed is reduced because of the 
high-rise heights. In relative terms, the atmospheric 
humidity outside high-rises is significant.  

During sunny weather, districts with glass-sheathed 
high-rises (such as La Défense) are more rapidly warmed  

 

  



259        Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 3 Air temperature evolution between central Paris and La Défense 

(towers area) during hot periods (average of 4 summers) 
 
 
 

Table 2. Difference in pollution levels between a Parisian street and La Défense 

(between high-rises) (Average of 10 measurements distributed over 4 years) 
 

 Kind of wind Between the towers (point2) Centre center of Paris (point3) 
 CO (ppm) 1 9 
 SO2 (ppm) 0,1 0,3 

 
 
 
than other areas. The glass-sheathed facades of the 
high-rises reflect a large portion of the incident solar 
radiation, contributing to the rapid increase in the ambient 
external air temperature. The temperature in the district 
abruptly increases above that of more traditional districts, 
and the relative humidity decreases (Svensson et al., 
2002). The air temperature variation as a function of high-
rise floor level is very large (table.2) (average of 2 
measurements). During hot periods, it is usually quite hot 
on the ground floor of high rises, and the temperature 
tends to decrease with height (Park et al., 2002). The air 
temperature difference can be quite large during very hot 
and very cold periods. Residences and offices on upper 
floors are much cooler and therefore consume much less 
energy in air conditioning. Lower floors suffer from high 
temperatures due to thermal emission into the 
atmosphere by the non-absorbent ground of some solar-
derived heat, contributing to raise air temperatures near 
ground level and a decrease in relative humidity (Hicks et 
al., 1989).  

The example cited show the difference of air 
temperatures and humidity in this area. In this city, during 
the summer months, the sun's rays darts on concrete 

 
 
 
surfaces, which, in a state of overheating, reflect and trap 
energy, which is rendered into streets and buildings. So, 
the city becomes a furnace. The cladding glass buildings 
reinforced by the concrete of the area, which have 
replaced the trees and natural vegetation, stores heat (De 
Leeuw et al, 2002). Urbanites are obliged to use air 
conditioners, which consume a large amount of electric 
power and tend to increase heat stress.  

In winter, the urban heat island is much more 
experienced next to the ground. The lower local towers 
are much more energy compared to the upper floors of 
premises. The upper floor premises experience much 
cooler air temperatures than those of the lower floors 
(Faix, 1991). The upper floor premises therefore require 
slightly more energy for heating. Conversely, during hot 
periods, people working on upper floors enjoy the 
advantage of cooler air temperatures and, compared with 
those on lower floors, reduce their energy consumption 
involved in air conditioning.  

The tall buildings, vertical construction and towers have 
been able to identify, as desired by Le Corbusier, the 
intermediate spaces in which we have drawn large, wide 
and straight arteries planted with trees for ventilation and  

 



Abdeslam         260 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 4 Average wind direction (number of times) in summer in the Paris region 

(average on 4 years) 
 
 
adaptation to the environment and the local climate. But 
these areas are extremely hot in summer. In fact, it will be 
the data climate that must be integrated into the 
architecture; the solution is in a series of steps on the 
location, exposure, the thermal behaviour of materials 
and surface treatment. 
 
 
Response  Of  High-Rise  Buildings  To  Wind  Speed  
And Direction 
 
Cities are characterised by numerous relatively high 
buildings. The effect of buildings on winds is a result of 
their height, their architectural form, and their layout. 
High-rises affect winds mainly by:  
reducing wind speed; average measurements taken over 
a period of 4 years indicate that there is 15% calm wind 
(zero wind) at La Défense between the high rises, 
compared with 2% in Paris  
Suppressing or reducing winds at the building facades, 
Concentrating the air flux in the tight spaces between 
high rises (Venturi effect).  
Towers act as a barrier against the winds on arrival. Note 
that there is also the effect of the state of the weather 
station. The weather station in central Paris is located at 
the Saint Jacques Tower in a garden and that of Defence 
is housed behind Arche of La Défense.  
In summer, prevailing winds in the Paris region are 
generally north. Analysis of wind data for summer 
Between La Défense and the Centre of Paris (Figure. 4) 
(average on 4 years) reveals significant changes in 
direction during a single interval and over a single region. 

 
 
The average wind directions recorded by the 
meteorological stations at La Défense to the west of Paris 
and at Saint Jacques (central Paris) exhibit numerous 
differences in the summer. The wind at La Défense (the 
high-rise district) is generally from the south, whereas the 
wind at central Paris is from the north or west. The wind 
direction changes because of the urban morphology 
(Svensson et al., 2002).  

Also noticeable is that, in summer, the high-rise district 
has the lowest average wind speed of the Paris region 
(Figure. 5). This is because the high rises play a 
significant role in changing wind direction and in reducing 
wind speed.  
Urbanisation is responsible for the changes in wind 
direction (Won et al., 2003). The deviation of wind 
directions is related to the urban heat island. This 
phenomenon occurs more in summer, during the 
passage of unstable air masses. Winds can be deflected 
in the direction cyclonic (direction of rotation of the earth) 
to the extent that the roughness increases.  

Analysis of three-hourly data for summer from the four-
city region that surrounds Paris leads us to the following 
conclusions:  
The high-rise buildings act obstacles to the wind (Pelletier, 
1987). The wind speed in the high-rise district of La 
Défense is the weakest, which may also be explained by 
the location and orientation of the meteorological station.  
The frequency of average wind speeds that exceed 3 m/s 
is recorded only in the stations of the Paris suburbs, with 
the exception of La Défense.  
These high-rise buildings reduce the wind force and 
typically create vortices (Gomez, 1998).  

  



 261        Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 5 Average wind speed in summer in the Paris region (average on 4 years) 

 
 
 
Note that along the towers, a breeze of wind flows 
fluently. These breezes are generally low speed: the 
nanometre indicates zero speed or less than 1m / s.  
Urbanization has certainly influence the speed and wind 
direction. Transformations can occur by piping winds in 
some streets. When wind direction is parallel to the street, 
there is usually faster wind speed. If the wind is not 
parallel to the street, there may be the creation of specific 
phenomena such as eddies and the reduction of wind 
speed.  
The shape and architecture of buildings and their layout 
also create specific phenomenon, as the acceleration of 
winds between the narrowed areas facing the wind. The 
height of buildings and multiplication form a barrier that 
significantly reduces wind speed 
 
 
Effect Of High-Rise Buildings On Precipitation 
 
It is known that high-rise buildings influence precipitation. 
As a rule, they are correlated with an increase in rain 
(Givoni, 1989). High-rises increase the surface 
roughness, which tends to slow the lower layers of the 
atmosphere, leading to upwells of air and an increase in 
precipitation (Kwi-Gon, 1989). Comparison of 
precipitation from 1950 to 1980, 1980 to 1987, 1987 to 
1993 and 2000 to 2004 (Figure. 6) confirms that only the 

 
 
 
meteorological station of La Défense saw a consistent 
increase in rain (construction of La Défense began 
around 1970). The construction of La Défense clearly led 
to an increase in precipitation of several millimetres over 
neighbouring regions.  

Comparison of the Average monthly precipitation in the 
western suburbs of Paris (Figure. 7) (average 13 years) 
between La Défense, Nanterre and Colombes (west of 
Paris) leads us to make the following observations:  
- The high-rise buildings receive more precipitation than 
other outlying areas.  
- For almost the entire year, La Défense receives the 
most precipitation.  
It is certain that high rise buildings (e.g., La Défense) 
influence precipitation over large agglomerations. The 
effect of the heights of these buildings on the increase in 
rain is due primarily to:  
- an increase in the surface roughness: The high rises  
reduce the wind speed and increase the surface 
roughness, slowing the lower atmospheric layers and 
leading to the development of air upwells, which 
generates an increase in precipitation (Eliasson and 
Upmanis, 2000);  
- High air temperatures and low relative humidity as a 
consequence of the impermeable ground and the 
restitution of energy into the air, especially in summer  
. These effects favour instability and air upwells  



Abdeslam         262 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 6 Annual precipitation between La Défense and centre of Paris 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure. 7 Average monthly precipitation in the western suburbs of Paris (average 13 years) 

 
 

 
that trigger storms and an increase in rain (Unger, 1999). 
In large agglomerations, the ground is largely 
impermeable, so that water which falls quickly flows into 
drains. Trees are rare and evapotranspiration is very 
limited. It is therefore certain that urbanisation and 

 
 

 
other human activities modify the relative humidity and 
rainfall.  

In general, urbanisation increases precipitation 
(Escourrou, 1995). Several factors explain how 
urbanisation leads to an increase in precipitation:  

  



263        Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 
 

 
- High pollution concentration facilitates condensation 
inside air masses and, in general, leads to acidic rains.   
- High air temperatures,  especially during hot  periods,  
facilitate the destabilization of air masses, which triggers 
rain. Urban heat islands act in the same manner.  
- Significant evaporation occurs in cites because of the 
impermeable ground.  
- Increased roughness causes a descent of the air mass 
and a wave system develops: when the air rises there is 
more rain, when the air sinks, the rain fall. The extension 
of urbanization on the outskirts of the city changes the 
roughness that affects the wave system.   
The construction of high-rise districts increases 
precipitation. In urban areas, the warm air masses tend to 
rise. In fact, this type of major construction influences rain   
because of the significant roughness it causes and by the 
excessive and rapid heating that is a result of the 
impenetrable ground and the glass facades. The 
influence of the unstable and sensitive temperature 
promotes the rise of air masses. This ascension occurs 
through thermal gradient, which determines its speed and 
creates an increase in precipitation. The district of La 
Défense to the west of Paris receives more rain than 
central Paris. 
 
 
Effect Of High Rises On The Distribution Of Pollution 
 
The design of a high-rise district generally incorporates 
the notion of green spaces between the high rises. The 
district of La Défense to the west of Paris has a low 
concentration of pollution, because it benefits from its 
urban morphology: space between the high rises permits 
air circulation and the ready dispersion of air pollution 
(Touma, 2006). Winds are usually winds reduced or 
stopped by the height of buildings and slowing the wind 
speed is also linked to increased roughness. The flow of 
air between the towers is usually a movement of breezes 
thermal, regional or local, whose speed does not exceed 
1m / s. 

This air circulation is very favourable to the dispersion 
of pollution between towers in district of La Défense. In 
most of our measurement campaigns, we found low CO 

and SO2 concentrations in the district of La Défense, 

increasing markedly in the direction of Paris (IngegaÈrd, 
2000). In winter, variations in the pollution concentration 
are very small.  

During cold periods, the distribution of pollution in the 
morning is similar to that in the afternoon, although the 

SO2 concentration tends to diminish in the afternoon 
(Roussel, 1993). In summer, the pollution distribution is 
identical at La Défense and Paris. In spite of the 
weakness of the wind, the pollution concentration is very 
small between the high-rises at La Défense, but 

 
 

 
increases considerably toward the traditional districts 
where space is reduced (Sax and Isakov, 2003). Table 2 
shows the distribution of pollution at the high-rise district 
and a Parisian district (average of 10 measurements 
distributed over 4 years).  

Regarding the vertical distribution of pollution around 
the high-rises (buildings with over 30 floors), pollution 
measurements taken ascending a high rise (Tour 
Montparnasse, 58 floors) show significant differences in 
pollution concentrations as a function of floor elevation 
(Berkowicz et al., 1996). Pollution is significant at the 
lower floors because of the dense street traffic (Mayer 
1999), tending to diminish at the upper floors of the high-
rise (Nethery, 2007).  

The concentration of the pollutant SO2 is very slight for 
the higher floors compared with the lower floors (Park 
2002). Carbon monoxide, which is very widespread at 
ground level, diminishes significantly toward the upper 
floors (Borrego et al 2003) (Figure. 8) (average of 3 
measurements distributed over 4 years).  

This pollution is mainly due to traffic. These pollutants 
(CO and SO2) are mainly concentrated near the ground 
and that pollution does not rise along the floors of the 
towers of La Défense. The lower floors of buildings 
receive a pollution rate much higher than the upper floors, 
especially in the area where winds are generally weak. 
The distribution of pollution in an urban environment 
depends on the architectural layout; it also depends on 
the shape of the arteries, and the proximity of green 
space. Wide spaces between the towers promote the 
circulation of air pollutant dispersion is better (Elvik, 2001). 
 

The pollution measurements were made along a tower 
(Tour Montparnasse, 58 storeys), to see the distribution 
of pollution in height. The pollution measurements were 
made along a tower (Tour Montparnasse, 58 storeys), to 
see the distribution of pollution in height.  

During our measurement campaigns, the distribution of 
pollution was almost identical. Pollution is concentrated 
next to the ground and tends to decrease in the upper 
floors. This concentration is due to the fact that at ground 
level winds are very low and the pollution does not 
disperse easily. People working on upper floors enjoy a 
much lower pollution concentration than those working on 
lower floors or in offices in traditional low-rise districts 
(Williams, 2006).  

Two factors explain the poor distribution of levels of 
pollution in the area of Defence. Low car traffic in the 
neighborhood of Defense and the movement of breezes 
that discharge pollutants into the hottest parts. Pollution 
low in this type of neighborhood tends to concentrate 
near the ground (Waller, 2004).  

The upper floors, pollution is low due to winds which 
are more active than the lower floors. 
 

 



Ali 073 
Abdeslam         264 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure. 8 Pollution concentration at successive floors of a high 

rise building (average of 2 measurements, Tour Montpanasse) 
 
 
 
DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSION 
 
This study shows that from a measurement campaign in 
a few points of a neighborhood, it is possible to 
understand the dynamic behavior of an urban area. This 
type of analysis shows the interest that could be a 
campaign of several measurement points, highlighting the 
microclimate and urban traffic with a cheap hardware. 
The many examples cited show the role of development 
in the evolution of climate. The layout plays at various 
scales:  
- At the local level or variations in temperature, moisture 
can occur. Small breezes are created to promote the 
regulation of microclimate and pollution dispersion   
- At the regional scale: a district can encourage urban 
heat island and lead to higher rainfall.  
Good management should avoid heat accumulation and 
concentration of pollution  
The study of the microclimate is very complex, but it is 
essential to limit climate risks in particular the high peaks 
of pollution.   
This study leads us to the following results: 
Upper-floor real estate enjoys lower air temperatures in 
summer, allowing air conditioning to be eliminated or 
replaced by simply opening windows.  
High-rises create microclimates by reinforcing the 
phenomenon of urban heat islands. 

 
 
 
Upper floors benefit from a lower concentration of 
pollution compared with lower floors, where the pollution 
concentration is generally quite high. We have also 
noticed that upper floors suffer less noise pollution than 
lower floors.  
The construction of towers in a region plays a significant 
role in changing local climate. The large spaces between 
the towers promote wind circulation and therefore the 
dispersion of pollutants. The construction of high towers 
increase rainfall and therefore promotes the quality of air 
in the city.  

This study provides new information concerning the 
effect of high rises on the improvement of microclimates, 
and increases our understanding of the effect of urban 
development on the climate and the distribution of air 
pollution. The results may be used for planning for future 
urban developments.  

The undertaking of a study devoted essentially to the 
influence of development and the environment is a 
significant project. Currently, two major concerns for 
authorities are urban planning and environmental 
protection, the latter of which is constantly threatened by 
urban growth, the development of large agglomerations, 
and the negative effects of air pollution. It is therefore at 
the local level that human actions carry the greatest 
weight. This is where people should act to avoid the 
disastrous consequences of climatic extremes.  



265        Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 
 
 
It is also at this level that people should concentrate their 
efforts and planning to reduce the urban-heat-island 
phenomenon or eliminate pollution.  
In coming years, and with global warming, the urban-
heat-island phenomenon and air pollution will perturb 
urban life, and it is then that the urban planner will be 
held accountable to some extent for the resulting 
problems. 
 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
 
My recognition goes to those who helped me to do this 
work in Paris, France. My sincere haberdashers also go 
to my supervisor G, Escourrou, the entire staff of the 
meteorological station of Paris Montsouris and the 
National Library of meteorology (Rapp Avenue)  
My thanks also go mainly to O. Delvert and those who 
provided additional data. And My thanks go to all who 
helped me to do this job. 
 
 
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