Mitigating Urban Heat Islands: The Role of Green Building Strategies

Abstract

The combined effects of local warming brought on by urbanisation and global climate change are making urban heat a growing problem for many cities. Urban heat-related issues must be addressed immediately because these phenomena have substantial negative effects on the environment, the economy, society, and human health. Although buildings play a significant role in urban heat, they also offer opportunities for mitigation through the decarbonisation of the built environment. The building industry has acknowledged green buildings (GBs) as an innovative philosophy and practice. GBs have been suggested as a way to reduce the effects of urban heat islands (UHI) and other heat-related issues. The purpose of this study is to identify the most important architectural factors of green buildings that effectively reduce UHI. Using an extensive literature review methodology, the study identified eighteen important references following a thorough screening of more than 1400 preliminary studies. These sources concentrate on the ways that green buildings mitigate urban heat through different approaches, such as cutting carbon emissions, lessening the effects of artificial landscapes, and enhancing energy efficiency. The findings indicate that GBs significantly contribute to reducing the urban heat problem by lowering carbon emissions, minimising artificial landscapes, and promoting energy-efficient designs.  This review provides a holistic analysis of the role of GBs in urban heat mitigation, aiming to inform future research in urban planning and green building development. This manuscript addresses a critical topic for the scientific and urban planning community. It highlights the role of green buildings (GBs) in mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which is essential for combating climate change. The thorough literature review provides useful insights and identifies key strategies, such as green roofs and green infrastructure. It is valuable for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in urban development and climate resilience.