Université de Sherbrooke

Purpose

This project will assess the potential of urban greenery to reduce carbon emissions from building operations (CEBO) in Canadian cities and provide guidelines for urban vegetation design. By developing model prototypes in neighbourhoods representing various urban morphologies, the project will integrate different levels of vegetation and assess their effectiveness in regulating the urban microclimate and reducing carbon emissions from building operations under current and future climate scenarios. Parametric simulations will identify optimal vegetation configurations for reducing the CEBO. These configurations will then be scaled up to the city level using local climate zone (LCZ) maps to ensure their applicability across Canada. Key results include a comprehensive database of neighbourhood models, greenery assessment methodologies, and practical guidelines for designing low-carbon buildings with urban vegetation. This work will help urban planners and construction professionals create sustainable, low-carbon built environments that reduce the carbon footprint.