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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Analyse the micro-climate of the urban built environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246540  Analyse the micro-climate of the urban built environment 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Weather 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this Unit Standard will be able to comment on and advise professional planners and architects on the implementation of environmentally sensitive design appropriate to the micro climate of the built environment.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Analysing the influence of urbanisation on local climates in South African cities.
  • Analysing the relationship between the built environment and local climates in South Africa.
  • Explaining the various design strategies and technologies of energy efficient buildings. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this Unit Standard will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse the influence of urbanisation on local climates in South African cities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various sources of sensible heat in the urban environment are explained using maps, diagrams and statistical tables. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse the relationship between the built environment and local climates in South Africa. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The built environment may include but is not limited to building height, densities and the provision of open spaces and site orientation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The influence of high rise buildings on their immediate environment is analysed by means of diagrams and flow charts of energy paths. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Energy paths may include but are not limited to albedo, reflection and absorption and re-radiation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Building density is analysed in order to determine its influence on street level micro-climate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The alleviation of high temperatures and poor air circulation by vegetated open spaces is analysed by the use of maps and diagrams. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Building orientation and location to maximise the benefit of topographic influences are analysed by the use of maps and diagrams. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Building orientation and location may include but are not limited to aspect and position on a slope.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the various design strategies and technologies of energy efficient buildings. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    This includes both international and South African contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The management of absorption and reflection of external surfaces is explained using a comparison of the albedo of different building finishes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    In addition to cladding this includes reflective film and blinds.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The positioning and orientation of external windows and doors is explained in order to optimise the management of light, heat flow and air flow. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Energy efficient systems are explained in order to reduce the energy cost of maintaining healthy ambient air temperature and humidity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Energy efficient systems may include but are not limited to insulation, natural air flows, heat sinks and recirculation of heat.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The utilisation of natural air flows and extractors is explained in order to direct polluted air harmlessly out of the building. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Polluted air may include but is not limited to cigarette smoke, kitchen air and exhaust fumes from parking garages.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Reading architectural and town plans. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to the analysis of the relationship between the micro-climate and the built environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others to influence the development of the built environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate micro-climate information of the built environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the proper analysis of the built environment could lead to better buildings being constructed. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts when conducting an analysis of the micro climate. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58995   National Certificate: Weather Observation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.