Cooling effects and energy-saving potential of urban vegetation in cold-climate cities: A comparative study using regression and coupled simulation models

Abstract

Urban greening plays a crucial role in mitigating urban heat islands (UHIs) and improving building energy efficiency. However, the effects of urban vegetation on microclimate regulation and building energy consumption (BEC) in cold-climate regions remain underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the cooling impacts of urban greening and its influence on BEC in Harbin, a representative severe cold-climate city, by using a coupled simulation approach. The methodology integrates the ENVI-met microclimate model and EnergyPlus building energy simulation, incorporating real-world parameters such as urban morphology, vegetation characteristics, and meteorological data. The results demonstrate that urban vegetation significantly reduces surface and air temperatures during summer, with cooling effects reaching up to 1.27 °C. The incorporation of greening also reduces building cooling loads by 14.56 %, highlighting its potential for energy savings. Furthermore, the findings reveal spatial heterogeneity in the cooling effects, with tree-dominated areas outperforming grass-covered spaces. This study fills a gap in previous research, which often neglects the unique climatic and morphological conditions of cold regions, by providing a comprehensive evaluation framework for urban greening strategies. These results offer practical insights for urban planners and policymakers to optimize greening strategies in cold-climate cities, aiming to enhance thermal comfort and achieve sustainable energy use. This work emphasizes the need for region-specific studies and integrated approaches to address the dual challenges of urban climate adaptation and energy efficiency.