Building Information Modeling for Land Use and Impact on Thermal Changes

Abstract

The impact of land use and urban design on thermal changes in Zagazig City, Egypt, is investigated using Building Information Modeling (BIM) simulations.  The study focuses on the urban heat island (UHI) impact, examining how building height, overcrowding, and vegetation affect air temperature, mean radiant temperature (MRT), and relative humidity. The study area, which is characterized by uncontrolled urban growth and rising temperatures, was recreated using a variety of scenarios, including green roofs, tree-lined roadways, and residential zoning changes. The results showed a considerable temperature increase in the contemporary urban reality (32.62°C) compared to the original plan (26.63°C), representing a 22.5% increase.  Implementing green roofs (Improve 1) and residential zoning (Improve 2) reduced temperatures by 0.84°C and 0.6°C, respectively, while combined interventions (Improve 1&2) achieved a 1.44°C decrease.  Similarly, MRT was reduced by 1.26°C using integrated techniques.  However, relative humidity improved just somewhat.  The study emphasizes BIM's effectiveness in simulating sustainable urban interventions and promotes its integration with computational tools to improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency.  These findings provide policymakers and urban planners with actionable insights into mitigating UHI effects and promoting ecologically sustainable cities.