Impacts of Vegetation Ratio, Street Orientation, and Aspect Ratio on Thermal Comfort and Building Carbon Emissions in Cold Zones: A Case Study of Tianjin

Lin Wang, Tian Chen, Yang Yu, Liuying Wang (), Huiyi Zang, Yun Cang, Ya’ou Zhang and Xiaowen Ma
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Lin Wang: Faculty of Innovation and Design, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
Tian Chen: School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Yang Yu: School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Liuying Wang: School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Huiyi Zang: Faculty of Innovation and Design, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
Yun Cang: College of Architectural Engineering, Yancheng Polytechnic College, Yancheng 224005, China
Ya’ou Zhang: Faculty of Innovation and Design, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
Xiaowen Ma: Faculty of Innovation and Design, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: This research highlights that street layouts, including the vegetation ratio, street orientation, and aspect ratio, are key in diminishing urban heat islands (UHIs), building energy use, and carbon emissions. The optimal street layout for minimal building energy consumption, carbon emissions, and maximal outdoor thermal comfort in Tianjin was established via field measurements, ENVI-met 5.6.1, Energy Plus simulations, and correlation analysis. The findings indicate the following: (1) The carbon emissions of winter residential heating energy consumption are 2.9–3.2 times higher than those for summer cooling. Urban design should thus prioritize winter energy efficiency and summer thermal comfort outdoors. (2) The summer street PET (physiological equivalent temperature) inversely correlates with the vegetation ratio and aspect ratio. Winter heating energy use inversely correlates with the street orientation and directly correlates with the aspect ratio. Adequate vegetation and proper orientation can decrease energy and carbon output while enhancing summer outdoor comfort. (3) Streets with an NW–SE orientation, H/W = 0.9, and 50% trees in summer yield the best thermal comfort, while those with an NE–SW orientation, H/W = 0.3, and 50% vegetative trees in winter produce the lowest carbon emissions. These insights are instrumental in refining urban streets and building designs in cold zones.

Keywords: vegetation; street orientation; aspect ratio; thermal comfort; energy consumption; carbon emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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