@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2538-4384    Geographical Researches 2021;36(2):99-113

Background
Nowadays, the consequences and limitations of fossil fuels made people more interested in the use of renewable energy. The construction industry is one of the biggest energy consumers making environmental changes leading to global warming.
Previous Studies
Many years ago, people used the available natural potentials to use clean energy [Zandieh & Parvarinejad, 2010]. Iran's traditional architecture has an enriched history considering sustainability, art, and culture [Mahdavinejad & Javanroodi, 2012]. The use of wind-catchers in arid regions is one of the most outstanding features of Iranian engineering that is getting forgotten and turning into an ornamental feature [Poorahmadi & Ayataalahi, 2011]. Optimal geo-locating as one of the most important steps in executive projects analyzes each region's potentials in terms of the availability of the proper space and its relation with other land uses nearby to choose the best place for the needed land use [Arab & Farokhzad, 2020]. The main functions of the wind-catchers can be classified into two parts: to inhale fresh air toward the inner parts of the buildings and exhale the warm and polluted air toward the outside [Mahdavinejad & Javanroodi, 2011].
Aim(s)
This study aimed to look for the best locations for the wind-catchers establishment in arid regions of Iran (Semnan province as the studied area) to use the wind-catchers efficiently.
Research type
This is an empirical study that used field studies to collect data.
Research society, place and time
The current research is carried out in the Semnan provinces of Iran from 2017 to 2019.
Sampling method and number
9 indicators were selected according to the opinions of 17 experts in this field.
Used devices&materials
The hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP) technique and Geographic Information System were used for the analysis. ArcGIS software and Expert Choice software were used in this study, as well.
Findings by Text
Determination of the influential parameter in locating the wind-catchers Six indicators of sunny hours, wind, altitude, temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation which are influential in arid regions' wind-catchers locating were determined (Table 2). Climatic and meteorological data for a 20-year period (1999-2019) were collected from synoptic and climatologic stations of Semnan province (Table 3). Then, a pairwise comparison of the indicators was done according to the opinions of the experts (Table 4). Figure 3 shows that the relative humidity indicator with 0.38 has the highest weight which is followed by the wind indicator with 0.243. The lowest weight is for the altitude indicator with 0.154. Afterward, information layers were drawn as a map for each indicator (Figures 4 to 9). The results of the pairwise comparison of Semnan cities are presented in Figure 10. Clearly, Garmsar, Semnan, and Shahrood were the only one achieved the first rank in some of the indicators. However, Mahdishahr was the last rank in terms of four of the indicators. After the determination of the influential indicators in locating the wind-catchers, information layers should be overlaid using a proper method to get the final map (Figure 11). After the overlaying and the analysis of the layers, proper spots for the wind-catchers establishment were detected and the best location can be selected according to the priority of the influential indicators (Figure 12). Finally, according to the scores gain from pairwise comparisons of the indicators and studied areas, Semnan, Garmsar, Aradan, Sorkhe, Damghan, Shahrood, Miami, and Mahdishahr are respectively the highest to the lowest priorities for the establishment of the wind-catchers.
Main comparison to the similar studies
The western parts of Semnan province including Garmsar, Aradan, Sorkhe, and Semnan are potentially proper for the establishment of the wind-catchers. These results are inconsistent with the results of Valian et al. (2020) because they found out that 80% of the province's wind-catchers are located in Semnan city and 10% are located in Garmsar. Mahdishahr is the least proper city for the establishment of the wind-catchers since it is located in higher altitudes with lower average annual temperature. Moreover, more precipitation shows more cloudiness that reduces sunny hours and decreases the region's potential for the establishment of wind-catchers. Ziari & Khodadadi (2013) and Hekmatnia & Ansari (2012) approve these results. The southern parts of the province are not much proper for the wind-catchers because of the dust, lower relative moisture, higher temperature and lower altitude. Mahdavinejad & Javanroodi (2012) also believe that wind-catchers establishment in southern parts of the province is not essential and logical.
Suggestions
There is no suggestion reported.
Limitations
There is no limitation reported.
Conclusions
Geo-locating is of great importance because of a wide range of reasons. Hence, the use of modern methods can be a great help for the researchers. As there is no standard method for locating proper places for the establishment of the wind-catchers in the country, a pattern was prepared for the optimum locating of the wind-catchers. The results show that multi-criteria decision-making systems particularly with the help of hierarchical analysis process, GIS, and Overlaying of the information layers provide the opportunity to find proper locations. The results show that western parts of the province including Garmsar, Aradan, Sorkhe, and Semnan are better places for the wind-catchers. To sum up, use of the wind-catchers is possible and probable in houses and offices in this province.
Acknowledgments
The authors tend to thank the experts who helped in doing this study.
Conflict of interest
None.
Ethical Permissions
None.
Funding Sources
The current paper is extracted from a Ph.D. thesis by the authors "wind-catchers morphology in Semnan houses to provide suggestions for the modern architecture" and it is carried out on the author's own expense.

TABLES and CHARTS

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