Evaluating urban heat island mitigation strategies through coupled UHI and building energy modeling

Abstract

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, exacerbated by urban expansion and climate change, poses significant challenges for sustainable urban development, public health, and environmental resilience. Despite growing research, there is a lack of consensus on the most effective strategies and modeling approaches to accurately assess and mitigate UHI effects, particularly in diverse climatic regions. This comprehensive literature review aims to classify and analyze various methodologies, tools, and models used to address UHI, providing a foundational understanding and identifying knowledge gaps. By examining over 100 scientific studies, the review identifies integrated modeling approaches combining urban climate models (UCM) and building energy models (BEM) to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency. It explores the efficacy of strategies such as green roofs, high-albedo materials, and urban vegetation in reducing UHI intensity across different climatic regions. The review also emphasizes the importance of detailed urban morphology and meteorological data in improving UHI simulation accuracy. Future research directions include advancing UHI modeling techniques, validating simulation tools through empirical data, and exploring the impact of various mitigation strategies on urban thermal comfort and energy consumption. This literature review offers a comprehensive analysis of current UHI research, providing insights into effective mitigation strategies and modeling approaches to address the UHI effect.