Reducing Urban Heat Islands in Construction Projects: Requirements and Methods for Developers
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 exposure to urban heat islands is before purchasing the land. A thermal assessment can identify the current surface temperature , the degree of impervious coverage, 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 powerful tool for climate action. Canopy targets are beginning to appear in the specifications of major Local authorities.
depaving and road permeability
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 roof surface temperature s by 20°C to 40°C. They improve summer insulation and contribute to biodiversity.
Emphasizing thermal performance in requests for proposals
What " Local authorities " Expect from RAOs
More and more Local authorities are incorporating quantifiable environmental criteria into their RAOs. Having a simulation Netcarbon with quantifiable data is a strong selling point compared to 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 Label Bas Carbone (French low-carbon label)
Label Bas Carbone (French low-carbon label) ( Ville Arborée) makes it possible to monetize carbon sequestration associated with urban tree planting. For a project involving 691 trees, the revenue from carbon credits over 25 years can reach tens of thousands of euros.
