Integrated Computational Fluid Dynamics and Space Syntax Simulation of Evacuation Efficiency and Fire Spread in Informal Local Markets
| dc.contributor.author | Mkumbo,Hadija | |
| dc.contributor.author | Tibesigwa,Buberwa Mukyamo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-02T16:24:06Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-05-20 | |
| dc.description | This Journal Article Was Published by Faculty of Architecture (FA) in 2026 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Local markets make a significant contribution to urban livelihood and eco-nomic development, especially in low-income areas. This research evaluates the contri-bution of the spatial design of a local market to reducing fire risk in the urban areas of low economies. Fire calamities in regional local markets have caused extensive eco-nomic losses and property damage, resulting from ineffective spatial organisation, inad-equate fire safety measures, and combustible building materials. Supported by inter-views, field observations, and QGIS mapping, the study has integrated Space Syntax anal-ysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation to quantify both human evac-uation performance and environmental fire spread within the same context. Though both CFD modelling and Space Syntax have long-established applications in formal building design, the study denotes the integrated application of both techniques to as-sess fire safety in informal market contexts. The study revealed low visual integration, critical vulnerabilities, narrow aisles, and a lack of evacuation routes as significant prob-lems. The findings have shown difficulties in firefighting equipment and combustible building materials present for rapid fire spread. The evacuation simulations through Pathfinder and CFD have identified bottlenecks in most of the high-density areas, caus-ing delays in escape. The research proposes a spatial design intervention in terms of the use of fire-resistant materials, zoning of highly combustible commodities, evacuation routes optimised, and signage and awareness provided to the occupants. The results highlight essential policy implementation via the Fire and Rescue Force Act and practical redesigning of local market structure to promote safety. It is about guiding fire risk re-duction policy measures to provide solutions to policymakers and urban planners to protect economic stability and livelihoods in low economies. | |
| dc.identifier.other | DOI: 10.2478/alfa-2026-0009 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.must.ac.tz/handle/123456789/639 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | FACULT OF ARCHITECTURE(FA) | |
| dc.subject | : Fire Outbreak Risks | |
| dc.subject | Local Market | |
| dc.subject | Spatial Design | |
| dc.subject | Vulnerability Factors | |
| dc.subject | Fire Risk Mitigation | |
| dc.title | Integrated Computational Fluid Dynamics and Space Syntax Simulation of Evacuation Efficiency and Fire Spread in Informal Local Markets | |
| dc.type | Article |