Reducing Urban Heat Islands in Construction Projects: Requirements and Methods for Developers

Captation de la température sur un site en construction
17/05/2025
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Why ICUs Have Become a Key Issue for Developers

RE2020 and Summer Comfort: DH, Bbio Index

The RE2020 introduces a maximum threshold of 1,250 discomfort degree-hours (DH) for multi-family housing. This threshold will be gradually lowered: to 1,000 DH by 2025, and then to 750 DH by 2028.

The European Taxonomy: A Contribution to Climate Adaptation

The Taxonomy Regulation requires real estate companies to assess their contribution to climate change adaptation, particularly with regard to heat-related risks.

What the regulation actually requires

The RE2020 thresholds for degree-hours

The calculation of DH values is based on dynamic thermal simulation (DTS). A project may meet the RE2020 thresholds in simulation, but its actual performance may be compromised if the surrounding neighborhood is a high-intensity urban area.

Assessing Climate Risks in the Taxonomy

The taxonomy requires a qualitative and quantitative assessment of climate risks: determining whether the site is located in an area with a high climate vulnerability index (ICU), evaluating likely trends by 2030 and 2050, and proposing corrective measures.

Incorporate ICUs from the project’s initial design phase

Pre-purchase energy audit of the property

The best time to assess heat island effects is before purchasing the land. A thermal assessment can determine the current surface temperature, the degree of paving, adjacent heat sources, and the potential for reduction through greening.

Simulation of the project's impact on local temperatures

A concrete example: In a housing and nature park project, the planting of over 691 trees and over 1,151 shrubs resulted in a projected reduction of 5.4°C in local temperatures over 25 years, with an increase of 52 metric tons of CO2 sequestered and an improvement in the CBS of 0.4.

Selection of plant species and materials

Simulations make it possible to compare the impact of different plant combinations and select the most thermally efficient species.

The tools available to planners

Green spaces and tree canopies: the most effective tool

Tree planting remains the most effective way to combat climate change. Canopy targets are beginning to appear in the specifications of major local governments.

De-impermeabilization and Permeability of Roadways

Replacing asphalt with permeable pavers or stabilized grass surfaces reduces heat absorption and allows rainwater to infiltrate.

Green roofs and green facades

Green roofs reduce the surface temperature of the roof by 20°C to 40°C. They improve summer insulation and contribute to biodiversity.

Emphasizing thermal performance in requests for proposals

What local governments expect from RAOs

More and more municipalities are incorporating quantifiable environmental criteria into their RABs. Having a Netcarbon simulation with quantifiable data provides a strong selling point against competitors who offer only qualitative commitments.

Incorporate data to stand out

The "green value" of a project is no longer limited to its energy performance rating. It now includes the thermal environment, the presence of vegetation, and summer comfort.

Generating carbon credits through tree planting: the Low Carbon Label

The Low Carbon Label (Ville Arborée method) makes it possible to monetize carbon sequestration resulting from urban tree planting. For a project involving 691 trees, the revenue from carbon credits over 25 years can reach tens of thousands of euros.


Are you planning a real estate project and want to include an energy performance analysis in your technical report? Netcarbon can provide you with a thermal assessment and impact simulation in just a few days. Contact us.

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