Modeling of optimal urban plantation approach to reducing energy consumption in building

Urban forests donate many environmental and economic benefits to the cities. The main benefits are reducing indoor heat by shading buildings, absorbing sunlight, reducing ultraviolet rays, cooling the air, and reducing wind speed. In this study different pattern of tree planting as a green belt around an office building (simulation of railway building) was examined for reduction of energy consumption. For this purpose, tree planting (as single and two storied rows) with distance of 5 m and 10 m from the building were considered. Design Builder software was used for modeling. Pinus eldarica and Spartium janceum morphological characteristics such as canopy diameter, height and diameter at breast height of trees measured and were included in the models. Results showed that there are significant differences between the different models and both one and two stories in terms of energy consumption in the building. Tree planting in all directions of building showed the highest reduction in energy consumption than one-side model. Among the one-sided model, tree planting on the west side of building was more suitable while tree planting on the south side of the building did not significantly reduce energy consumption. At both distances, 5 and 10 meters, from the wall in all models, two storied tree planting showed better efficiency than one-storied. The simulation results showed that there is a positive correlation between tree distance from the building and energy consumption.