# Evaluating Resilience and Thermal Comfort in Mediterranean Dwellings: A Level(s) Framework Approach
## 2 Materials and Methods
### Selection Criteria for the Case Studies  
Geographical Location and Climatic Context: The location of the housing is crucial, as each area's climate significantly influences the buildings' thermal and energy requirements. The selected cases are in two cities in southern Spain, Seville and Malaga, which share a Mediterranean climate. This climate is characterized by very hot, dry summers, which present a significant challenge for the thermal comfort of residents, particularly older adults, who are more vulnerable to thermal variations. The selection of these two cases allows for exploring how different climatic conditions affect energy efficiency and thermal comfort.  
Building Age: Both buildings were constructed between the 1950s and 1980s, making them representative examples of the post-war housing stock in Spain. These older buildings commonly exhibit poor insulation, inadequate heating and cooling systems, and deteriorating structures--factors contributing to high energy poverty rates in Europe.  
Representativeness of the Housing Typology: Case Study 1 (CS-1) in Barriada Juan XXIII, Seville, represents a typical social housing area built during an urban expansion period, which, over time, has undergone socio-urban changes and some degree of marginalization. This type of housing is particularly relevant for studying the impact of energy poverty on vulnerable segments of the population. On the other hand, Case Study 2 (CS-2) in the Gamarra neighbourhood of Malaga, a mixed-use building (residential and offices), was selected for its typological diversity and relevance in exploring how rehabilitation can impact multi-functional buildings.  
Structural and Spatial Conditions: Both cases were selected based on their structural and spatial characteristics, which present significant potential for energy rehabilitation interventions. Specifically, Barriada Juan XXIII, with its symmetrical layout and generous spaces, and the Gamarra building, with its mixed-use design, offer a variety of configurations that allow for the study of rehabilitation solutions applied to different residential typologies.  
Relevance of Vulnerable Populations: Both case studies were also selected due to the presence of vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, who are more susceptible to issues arising from energy poverty and poor thermal quality in their homes. This factor is critical to the research, as it enables an evaluation of how the proposed interventions can improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged groups.  
Case Studies:  
Barriada Juan XXIII, Seville (CS-1):  
Year of Construction: 1967.  
Building Type: Double-aisle, with two ground-floor flats and four additional floors.  
* Living Area: 68 m\({}^{2}\).
* Common Areas: The residents maintain shared spaces, including storage rooms and gardens.
* Climate: Mediterranean, with very hot summers (temperatures exceeding 35 \({}^{\circ}\)C) and mild winters (around 10 \({}^{\circ}\)C), providing ideal conditions for studying the impact of climate on thermal comfort.  
Gamarra Neighborhood, Malaga (CS-2):
* Year of Construction: 1970.
* Building Type: Mixed-use, residential and offices.
* Total Area per Residential Unit: 97 m\({}^{2}\).
* Structure: 17-story building, with offices on the first floor and residential units on the upper levels.
* Climate: It is also Mediterranean, with hot summers (temperatures exceeding 30 \({}^{\circ}\)C), mild winters (around 12 \({}^{\circ}\)C), and moderate sea breezes influence the coastal area.  
These case studies provide a basis for evaluating the feasibility and impact of potential refurbishment strategies, focusing on improving resilience, energy efficiency, and adaptability to future challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups like older adults.