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As cities grapple with rising temperatures, the integration of urban greenery has gained recognition as a viable solution to mitigate these effects and enhance outdoor thermal conditions. This paper identifies widely used and emerging numerical models, highlights research gaps, and addresses key insights from the selected literature. Grounded in a...
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The increase in impervious surfaces has significantly altered landscapes, exacerbating the urban heat island in arid climates, and modifying the microclimate of street canyons, causing an adverse effect on thermal conditions. The outdoor thermal performance is affected by urban geometry, the aspect ratio, and the orientation of street canyons; howe...
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... b. Energy-saving renovation and passive design Firstly establish a vertical greening system [6], set up green plants for shading on the building façade, reduce the air-conditioning load in summer through transpiration; then establish a slopingroof rainwater diversion system to synchronize the solution to the problem of heat insulation and flood prevention; and heat-insulating materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) are used to reduce the thermal conductivity by using a closed-cell structure while reducing the load on the wall [7]. ...
This paper provides a comprehensive comparison of carbon emissions, cost-effectiveness, and disaster risk mitigation between old building rehabilitation and reconstruction scenarios through a full life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, combined with the China Building Carbon Emission Calculation Standard. The results show that the reconstruction scenario has higher carbon emissions and high initial investment but better structural resistance to disasters. In contrast, the retrofit scenario has reduced carbon emissions and initial costs but increases its post-disaster recovery needs. This study highlights the importance of balancing short-term economics with long-term carbon reduction. Future research should extend to different climate zones and building types, incorporate carbon emissions during the demolition phase, and explore carbon trading mechanisms, thus providing policymakers and practitioners with a basis for optimizing building retrofit decisions and contributing to global carbon neutrality goals.
... While existing studies have predominantly focused on single-season analyses or specific climate types [2][3][4], there has been limited exploration into the dynamic thermal comfort mechanisms across transitional climate zones [5]. Campus courtyards, as semi-open spaces integrating social interaction and leisure functions, require urgent quantification of the coupling effects between vegetation layouts and microclimate modulation. ...
... Research on campus vegetation configurations and thermal comfort mechanisms necessitates an in-depth exploration of their spatial heterogeneity and ecological response dynamics. From a functional zoning perspective, academic areas often utilize low-canopy trees to create semi-transparent covers that partially filter solar radiation while maintaining indoor daylight levels, thereby achieving a dynamic balance with classroom lighting requirements [5]. In contrast, residential zones prioritize vertical greening strategies with greater thermodynamic optimization potential: climbing vegetation on building façades has been shown to reduce west-facing wall surface temperatures by 2.1-4.6 • C while enhancing air humidity through foliar transpiration [6]. ...
... Nevertheless, current research predominantly examines single-season effects, such as summer shading [7,9] or winter windbreak [10], without establishing cross-seasonal synergy models [5]. A representative case in Japan's Hokuriku region illustrates this gap: evergreen shrubs effectively lower winter WS by 18-23%, yet their dense canopies concurrently block solar radiation, resulting in summer predicted mean vote (PMV) values exceeding other configurations by 0.8-1.2 ...
This study investigated the synergistic effects of vegetation configurations and microclimate factors on seasonal thermal comfort in a semi-enclosed university courtyard in Wuhan, located in China’s Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate zone (Köppen: Cfa, humid subtropical). By adopting a field measurement–simulation–validation framework, spatial parameters and annual microclimate data were collected using laser distance meters and multifunctional environmental sensors. A validated ENVI-met model (grid resolution: 2 m × 2 m × 2 m, verified by field measurements for microclimate parameters) simulated 15 vegetation scenarios with varying planting patterns, evergreen–deciduous ratios (0–100%), and ground covers. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index quantified thermal comfort improvements relative to the baseline. The optimal grid-based mixed planting configuration (40% evergreen trees + 60% deciduous trees) significantly improved winter thermal comfort by raising the PET from 9.24 °C to 15.42 °C (66.98% increase) through windbreak effects while maintaining summer thermal stability with only a 1.94% PET increase (34.60 °C to 35.27 °C) via enhanced transpiration and airflow regulation. This study provides actionable guidelines for climate-responsive courtyard design, emphasizing adaptive vegetation ratios and spatial geometry alignment.
... Affective atmospheres, such as natural sounds, create emotional resonance, encouraging social interaction [4,31]. Ecological Sustainability: Parks preserve biodiversity and mitigate urban heat with native plants and tree cover [6]. Green alleys enhance connectivity [6], aligning with modernist sustainability goals and postmodern ecological complexity [4]. ...
... Ecological Sustainability: Parks preserve biodiversity and mitigate urban heat with native plants and tree cover [6]. Green alleys enhance connectivity [6], aligning with modernist sustainability goals and postmodern ecological complexity [4]. ...
... A Q-Test confirmed strong relationships between amenities and interaction ( Table 5). Respondents emphasized shaded areas in Riyadh Park for thermal comfort [6], supporting Hypothesis 1. Jalmoudah Park's limited facilities correlated with lower engagement (Figure 10). Also, they ...
This research assesses the involvement of green urban spaces in creating social interaction among the residents of a neighborhood. It emphasizes the significance of urban parks, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia’s New Vision 2030, and showcases the proactive approach of Jubail Industrial City in planning and distributing parks. The study delves into the legibility of parks, exploring factors that impact user experiences, including accessibility and amenities. It highlights how park design can influence social interactions. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of social interaction within neighborhood parks, especially among diverse cultural and age groups. The results prove to be a significant output for future use in enhancing the quality of green spaces and providing efficient means of social interaction among people. The study’s findings, such as increased social interaction with diverse amenities and improved safety perceptions, contribute to sustainable urban planning by fostering social cohesion, enhancing ecological benefits through tree cover, and building community resilience, aligning with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals. Recommendations are provided to improve the park user experience and promote increased utilization of neighborhood parks.
... These datasets are typically drawn from regional databases or pre-compiled typologies based on building archetypes. While they cannot capture product-specific variations, they allow for comparative decisionmaking across design alternatives in conceptual phases [94]. Röck et al. (2018) [91], for example, underline that simplified BIM-integrated LCA tools often default to average impact values for materials due to the low LOD of early models. ...
The construction industry plays a significant role in global warming, accounting for 42% of primary energy use and 39% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a key methodology for evaluating environmental impacts throughout a building’s life cycle, yet its integration in the early design phase remains limited. This review aims to examine strategies and tools for incorporating LCA in the early design phase to enhance sustainability in building construction. The objectives of this study are: (1) to identify the main challenges in integrating LCA into early design workflows, (2) to analyze and compare LCA tools suitable for early-stage assessments, and (3) to explore emerging trends and technological advancements. A systematic literature review was employed using the Scopus database to analyze existing literature, identifying current practices, challenges, and technological advancements in early-stage LCA implementation. A total of 56 studies were identified for the review. The results highlight the growing adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and parametric modeling in streamlining LCA integration. Despite these advancements, barriers such as data scarcity, lack of standardization, and interoperability issues persist. Key findings suggest that simplified and computational LCA tools can improve accessibility and real-time decision-making during early-stage design. The study concludes that enhancing data availability, refining methodologies, and fostering collaboration between architects, engineers, and policymakers are crucial for mainstreaming LCA in sustainable building design. This review provides actionable insights to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and early-stage design decisions and framework, ultimately supporting a more environmentally responsible construction industry.
... Climate change and global warming represent profound challenges to the future of humanity, primarily driven by the unrelenting increase in GHG emissions and the subsequent rise in global temperatures [1][2][3][4][5]. Over the last century, the Earth's temperature has risen tions, and energy systems [87,88]. ...
As the population increases, the growing demand for residential housing escalates construction activities, significantly impacting global warming by contributing 42% of primary energy use and 39% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study addresses a gap in research on lifecycle assessment (LCA) for Indian residential buildings by evaluating the full cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of a typical single-family house in Northern India. A BIM-based LCA framework was applied to a 110 m2 single-family dwelling over a 60-year life span. Operational use performance and climate analysis was evaluated via cove tool. The total carbon footprint over a 60-year lifespan was approximately 5884 kg CO2e, with operational energy use accounting for about 87% and embodied carbon approximately 11%. Additional impacts came from maintenance and replacements. Energy usage was calculated as 71.76 kWh/m2/year and water usage as 232.2 m3/year. Energy consumption was the biggest driver of emissions, but substantial impacts also stemmed from material production. Cement-based components and steel were the largest embodied carbon contributors. Under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, the operational emissions reach approximately 668,000 kg CO2e with HVAC and 482,000 kg CO2e without HVAC. The findings highlight the necessity of integrating embodied carbon considerations alongside operational energy efficiency in India’s building codes, emphasizing reductions in energy consumption and the adoption of low-carbon materials to mitigate the environmental impact of residential buildings. Future work should focus on the dynamic modeling of electricity decarbonization, improved regional datasets, and scenario-based LCA to better support India’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2070.
