Page 25 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Natural ventilation in courtyard dwellings

Table 2. Key findings from the literature review
Author Year Focus area Methodology Key findings
Xu et al. 2018 Courtyard ventilation Computational fluid dynamics Orientation significantly affects cross-ventilation
(CFD) simulations
Tafti et al. 2018 Modern ventilation issues Comparative analysis Modern designs neglect ventilation, leading to inefficiency
Chandel et al. 2016 Traditional designs in Mongolia Field studies Thick walls improve thermal comfort
Zhang et al. 2020 Seasonal climate adaptation CFD+field measurements Effective stack ventilation during summer and winter

various disciplines and study types, thereby ensuring
methodical comprehensiveness in the review process.
Afshin et al. (2016) define a systematic review as a formal
process of identifying, selecting, and critically evaluating
studies that address particular research questions. In
this case, the principal research question focuses on the
identification of strategies that can be used to enhance
natural airflow in 4-story courtyard-based residential
buildings in Inner Mongolia.
The advantages of the systematic review approach are as
follows:
• Comprehensive coverage: This methodology
helps reduce the risk of omitting studies critical to
understanding the research topic
• Critical synthesis: A systematic review allows for the
identification of thematic aspects, research gaps, and
emerging trends across a broad body of literature
• Methodological rigor: By following a structured and
coordinated review process, this approach minimizes
bias and enhances the reliability of conclusions and
recommendations.

In the context of this research, the systematic review
includes CFD studies, field investigation, and empirical
case studies on airflow characteristics in courtyard-style
Figure 4. Technical roadmap of the study buildings, especially those located in climates similar to
Abbreviation: CFD: Computational fluid dynamics. that of Inner Mongolia.
Source: Diagram by the authors.
retractable shading, and seasonal modifications to window 3.2. Data collection process
configurations. To validate CFD predictions, enhance The data sources for this systematic review were
passive design strategies, and better understand the long- identified through a four-step process: (i) database search
term socio-environmental dynamics of occupancy, such and retrieval, (ii) article selection, (iii) data extraction,
user feedback is indispensable. As such, both retrospective
and forward-looking studies should adopt a user-centered and (iv) quality assessment. The types of literature
approach, incorporating performance monitoring and data reviewed include research articles, conference papers,
logging to bridge the gap between theoretical optimization technical reports, and case studies. Google Scholar was
and real-world performance. used as the primary source engine for sourcing relevant
literature. To broaden the scope of the review, a series
3. Methodology of keywords was employed during the search, including
“natural ventilation,” “courtyard architecture,” “Inner
3.1. Systematic review approach Mongolia residential buildings,” “computational fluid
A systematic review approach was used, as it was deemed dynamics (CFD),” and “airflow optimisation in courtyard
most appropriate for integrating published studies across buildings.”

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.7226