Measuring the Impacts of Urban Green Infrastructure with a Climate-Sensitive Design Approach (Case Study: Gol Mohammadi Neighborhood, Isfahan)

Introduction: The growing vulnerability of urban environments and human settlements to changing climatic patterns necessitates transformative urban planning and design approaches. Among these approaches, using Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) as a pivotal tool for mitigating urban heat islands, enhancing public health, and improving thermal comfort has garnered significant attention. UGI, as an integral component of climate-sensitive urban design, serves to balance natural and built environments, promoting sustainable and energy-efficient urban spaces while safeguarding natural resources. This study examines the impact of UGI within the framework of climate-sensitive design, with a focus on the Gol Mohammadi neighborhood in Isfahan. By synthesizing conceptual insights and analyzing the microclimatic conditions of the area, the study evaluates the environmental benefits and functional efficiency of UGI interventions.
Methodology: A comprehensive mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining qualitative urban design principles with quantitative assessments of UGI’s climatic effects. The study utilized ENVI-met software to simulate and analyze six distinct scenarios, each representing different configurations of UGI, such as variations in vegetation coverage and distribution. Logical reasoning and scenario development informed the synthesis of findings, while   iterative simulations provided a robust basis for evaluating UGI’s impact on critical environmental indices, including temperature, wind speed, and mean radiant temperature. Optimized through comparative analysis, the final scenario was tested to offer actionable insights for integrating UGI into urban design frameworks.
Results: The simulation outcomes reveal that UGI scenarios emphasizing increased tree coverage yielded the most substantial improvements in microclimatic conditions. Trees demonstrated a pronounced capacity for temperature reduction and thermal comfort enhancement, significantly mitigating urban heat island effects.
Complementary strategies, such as green façades and green roofs, while slightly less effective than tree-based solutions, contributed meaningfully to the overall climatic performance of the neighborhood. The proposed optimal scenario combined strategically positioned trees, façades, and roofs, offering a synergistic model for maximizing UGI efficiency. Moreover, the findings facilitated the development of targeted strategies and policies to integrate UGI into sustainable urban design, ensuring adaptability to diverse climatic contexts.
Discussion: The study categorized UGI applications into six scenarios to explore their impact on the neighborhood’s microclimate systematically:

Scenario S0: No vegetation.
Scenario SN: Existing vegetation.
Scenario SG: Maximum tree coverage along streets and gardens.
Scenario SF: Existing vegetation supplemented by 100% green façades.
Scenario SR: Existing vegetation complemented by 100% green roofs.
Scenario SS: Optimized design based on insights from previous scenarios.

Comparative analyses of climatic factors indicated that Scenario SG, emphasizing tree coverage, achieved the most significant temperature reductions and enhanced wind flow, making it particularly effective for improving summer thermal comfort. The SF (green façade) and SR (green roof) scenarios also demonstrated measurable impacts, particularly in reducing localized heat buildup. These findings underscore the versatility of UGI in addressing urban climatic challenges, with each type of intervention offering unique advantages.
Conclusion: This study underscores the transformative potential of UGI in fostering climate-sensitive urban environments. By leveraging advanced simulation techniques, it demonstrates that tree-based solutions significantly mitigate urban heat islands. At the same time, green façades and roofs complement these effects by enhancing energy efficiency and climatic resilience. The findings highlight the importance of integrating UGI into urban design frameworks to harmonize built environments with natural ecosystems. This alignment fosters sustainable urban growth, optimizes resource use, and enhances urban livability