Cynthia Skelhorn

BSc Environmental Engineering (hons) and BSc Liberal Studies (hons), Florida Merit Scholar and UCF Full Scholarship, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

MSc Geographic Information Science (Merit), University of Manchester.

Evaluation of the impacts of urban greenspace on building energy consumption.

Supervisors: Sarah Lindley and Professor Geoff Levermore.

Developing modelling methods to incorporate urban greenspace into building energy consumption models, adaptation to climate change for urban areas, GIS analysis and modelling of urban area.

A number of studies have investigated the cooling effect of urban greenspace using analytical modelling approaches and empirical models. Empirical models have considered the distance over which the urban greenspace oasis effect occurs, for example in relation to park size, sky-view factor or the area covered by tree canopy.  However, relatively little is yet known about the relationships between groups of factors, such as the size, types, and locations of greenspace parcels which together influence their effectiveness as soft engineering solutions for reducing energy demand during periods of high temperatures.

The overall aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between building energy consumption and varying types of urban greenspace, such as green roofs, parks, tree-lined streets, and open, grassy areas.  Using selected sites in Greater Manchester as case study areas, the work has the following interrelated objectives:

• To evaluate changes in microclimate due to different types, sizes, and compositions of urban greenspace;
• To estimate seasonal changes in building energy consumption due to microclimatic effects of vegetation; and
• To devise strategies for the most effective use of greenspace in connection with adaptation and mitigation scenarios for climate change in urban areas.

The methods used in this research include microclimate modelling with ENVI-met, supported by field measurements of air and surface temperatures at selected case study areas, as well as developing a method for including vegetation effects in building energy models.

Carney, Sebastian and Skelhorn, Cynthia,  Chapter 10:  Epilogue: Perspectives from the 5th Urban Research Symposium, Infrastructure, the Built Environment, and Energy Efficiency in Hoornweg, et al., eds., 2011, Cities and Climate Change, Responding to an Urgent Agenda, The World Bank, Washington, D.C.

PhD studentship through UK Energy Research Centre

Work Experience

City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation, Watershed Protection Division, Sanitary Engineering Associate, 2002-2003.

RW Beck Inc (now SAIC Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure, LLC), part-time 1993-1996 (while attending University) and full-time analyst/project manager, 1998 – 2002, Orlando, FL.

United States Peace Corps, Maths and Chemistry Teacher, 1996-1998, Ghana, West Africa.