Evaluating the impact of the building density and height on the block surface temperature

Abstract Urban surface structures affect block surface temperatures, thermal loading of pedestrians, wind patterns and more. Comparisons of the building density and height impact on block surface temperature and optimization at a fixed floor area ratio (FAR) are rare. In this research, a 3-dimensional simulation model, ENVI-met, is used to simulate block surface temperature in different scenarios and evaluate the urban geometry impact on surface temperature of each component (roof, street and four-oriented walls). Results show that: (1) the increased building density (λp) and height (H) cool blocks at unfixed FARs; (2) buildings with λp and H of 0.36 and 10 m with a fixed FAR of 1.5 produce the highest summer surface temperatures for all studied components; (3) when FAR is fixed, among scenarios with λp ≤ 0.36 and H ≥ 10 m, building height dominates component surface temperature by reducing the solar radiation reaching the surface. Among scenarios with λp > 0.36 and H