The University of Navarra (UNAV) is a non-profit private university founded in 1952 based in Pamplona, Spain. It confers 56 official degrees and administers more than 90 postgraduate programs (including 20 doctoral programs and 42 master’s programs) through 10 schools, two superior colleges, the IESE Business School and its 5 comprehensive Research Centres: CCUN (Cancer Centre Clínica Universidad de Navarra), BIOMA (Biodiversity and Environment Institute) and DATAI (Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), ICS (INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY and CIN (Centre for Nutrition Research).

UNAV has more than 14.000 students in 5 campuses: Pamplona, San Sebastián, Madrid, Barcelona and New York with a wide network of international universities and research centres.

UNAV has a sound track record in participating in European Research Programs. The university has participated in 126 European projects from FP4 to Horizon Europe, including LIFE, ERASMUS+ and INTERREG Programs; of which 22 projects were coordinated by the university. The University also counts with a thorough experience in MSCA and ERC grants with over 26 signed grants.

UNAV been awarded with the HR Excellence in Research quality seal (HRS4R) that guarantees the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

HOSTING GROUP:

Research group SAVIArquitectura with the following research lines: i) Life Cycle Analysis and material management. Assessment of environmental impacts; ii) Architecture for the vulnerable population; Aging; Energy poverty; Accessibility; iii) Environmental Certification, energy monitoring, calibration and simulation of buildings; Digital twins; iv) Industrialized and sustainable components for buildings; Adaptive building envelopes; v) Strategies for mitigation and adaptation to Climate Change; and vi) Sustainable rehabilitation of buildings, neighborhoods and cities; Regenerative Architecture

SAVIArquitectura has participated and led research projects at European, national and local level. Several publications, articles in indexed journals and books are the result of its research. Researchers collaborates or had collaborated with other national, European and international research groups.

Some publications related to the topic are:

• Arriazu-Ramos A., Bes-Rastrollo M., Sánchez-Ostiz Gutiérrez A., Monge-Barrio A. “From urban microclimate to indoor overheating: Analysis of residential typologies during typical climate series and extreme warm summer” ENERGY AND BUILDINGS 299 (2023) págs. 113620; ISSN 0378-7788 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113620
• Monge-Barrio, Aurora; Bes Rastrollo, Maira; Dorregaray Oyaregui, Sara; et al.; “Encouraging natural ventilation to improve indoor environmental conditions at schools. Case studies in the north of Spain before and during COVID”; ENERGY AND BUILDINGS; Vol. 254 (2022) 111567; ISSN 0378-7788 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111567
• Gamero Salinas, Juan Carlos; Kishnani, Nirmal; Monge Barrio, Aurora; et al. “Evaluation of thermal comfort and building form attributes in different semi-outdoor environments in a high-density tropical setting”. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT (2021), 205, pp. 108255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108255
• Gamero Salinas, Juan Carlos (Autor de correspondencia); Kishnani, N.; Sánchez-Ostiz Gutiérrez, Ana; Monge Barrio, Aurora; Benítez Sastoque, Edgar Ricardo, “Porosity, openness, and exposure: Identification of underlying factors associated with semi-outdoor spaces´ thermal performance and clustering in tropical high-density Singapore” ENERGY AND BUILDINGS (2022), 272, 112339 ISSN: 0378-7788 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112339
• Monge-Barrio, A. Sánchez-Ostiz Gutierrez A., “Passive Energy Strategies for Mediterranean Residential Buildings. Facing the Challenges of Climate Change and Vulnerable Populations”, Springer. Green Energy and Technology (2018). ISBN 978-3-319-69882-3 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69883-0

Offer description

Playgrounds are relevant for children's play and learning time during school hours, but also throughout the year if they are open to the community. Schools in high density environments are mostly paved and lack green areas. Redesigning these spaces with green and blue infrastructure is paramount for children's wellbeing. In addition, re-design of unused roofs into green areas hold promising potential.

The re-naturing of roofs and playgrounds is a relevant strategy that contributes to cooling microclimate as well as adapting and cooling buildings and playgrounds, and supposes an opportunity to improve the usability of public infrastructures for the community during warming summers not only in southern Europe but across the world.

What is required to push the re-naturing of schools in a holistic and effective way, from a design and technical approach? What impact does the re-naturing of school playgrounds and roofs have in cooling the near environment? Given limited budgets, how can we guarantee the process of re-naturing school environments in progressive phases and involving the educational community?

Working with real case studies in different locations of Southern Europe, with the potential to be applied around the world with similar challenges and different environments, we would be happy to know your personal approach to effectively impact one of the most relevant challenges for the Community.

Key words

NBS, renature, schools, cooling, microclimate, comfort, green roofs, green playgrounds

Research Field

Re-nature of school environments

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANDIDATE

Main research field

Architecture or Architectural Engineering PhD

Specific requirements

• Date of PhD degree: No more than 8 years since the date of PhD defense at date 2024 September 11.
• The candidate must not have lived or worked in Spain more than 12 months in the last 36 months calculating from 2024 September 11.

Language

English

Level 

Excellent

Required research Experience

PhD with papers related to the topic

Desirable (not mandatory) research experience with GIS, on comfort and/or health studies, statistical analysis, Energy+ (DesignBuilder, etc.), Ladybug, Envimet, monitoring, etc.

Applications: documents to be submitted and deadlines

• CV
• Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
• Concept note with first idea on the specific topic (max. 1 page)