Rural Surroundings Research Articles

A New and Easy Method to Determine the Energy Stored in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Mexico City

Urban areas present different climates from those of their rural surroundings. Energy balance and especially energy storage play important roles in the resulting climate since more than 50% of the net radiation is absorbed in densely urbanized areas. A simple model of energy storage in the urban fabric is presented, fed with the air temperature of a given area and its thermal properties; it can estimate heat storage (QS) with good results. The proposed QST energy storage model was compared with QS results obtained from two sites in Mexico City, Escandón (objective hysteresis model, QSOHM) and ENP7 (residual, QSRES), and one site in Marseille, France (thermal mass scheme, QSTMS). The comparison between QST and QSOHM showed that r2 = 0.71, while in ENP7 (QN > 0), QSRES and QST were 116.5 Wm−2 and 142 Wm−2, corresponding to 49% and 60% of the QN, respectively. The results obtained using the QSTMS model in Marseille and QST in Escandón showed similar behavior, with RMSEs of 109 and 101 Wm−2, respectively, in a daily period. Although it is difficult to discern which method is better, it is possible to affirm that the presented method is quite accurate, easier to use, and inexpensive.

Spatial Assessment of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Kütahya using Landsat-8 Satellite Data

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities and modifications, such as replacing natural land cover with impervious surfaces, reducing vegetation, and increasing heat-absorbing materials. Kütahya central district has a dense population and building layout, which contributes to the intense UHI. Geographic Information System (GIS) and its tools are widely used in assessing UHI in urban areas, providing insights for both researchers and local authorities. Landsat-8 images acquired on August 8, 2023 (Path: 179, Row: 33, Cloud Cover: 0%) were utilized to create the Urban Heat Island (UHI) map for the study area. Through spatial analysis using Landsat-8 data for Kütahya city center, six different classes were defined, with the UHI map created using land surface temperature values. The highest and lowest UHI values vary between 4.245°C and -3.457°C. It has been observed that the average UHI increases by 12% in areas lacking dense building structures, characterized by rock surfaces and limited green areas. Conversely, in areas with parks, forests, and sparse settlements, the UHI decreases by 10%. With this study, a comprehensive evaluation of UHI was conducted for Kütahya city center. While the results obtained are expected to be an important resource for researchers and local authorities, they are also anticipated to be beneficial in the fields of engineering geology, urban geology, and urban planning.

Assessment of the urban pollution island intensity in Rome (Italy) from in-situ PM measurements

The Urban Pollution Island (UPI), describing the temporal and spatial distribution of pollutants’ concentration attributed to the presence of urban features and activities, is one of the major problems affecting urban areas and has become more severe with rapid urbanization. To correctly evaluate the UPI Intensity (UPII), i.e., the difference in pollution concentration between the urban agglomeration and its rural surroundings, it is crucial to carefully select rural and, above all, urban reference stations, as local factors such as orography, location of the air quality monitoring stations, and street orientation can significantly impact UPII values. In this work, the UPII in Rome (Italy) is determined using daily-averaged concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 collected by in-situ stations over the period 2018–2023. Three different methods for the assessment of UPII are tested and compared by varying the sub-set of selected urban stations, according to their environmental classification. The approach proposed will have significant implications on the management of urban environment and on the tailored design of urban air quality improvement strategies.Results show slight differences in the monthly-averaged concentrations of both PM10 and PM2.5 between the “urban traffic” and “urban background” stations, suggesting that the proximity of the emission sources to the monitoring stations moderately influences the concentrations, potentially due to limited ventilation within street canyons, which can inhibit mixing processes. The annual variation of UPII reveals that PM10 is more sensitive to the selection of the stations particularly during winter, when the differences between the three assessment methods reach 100%. Our findings also indicate that, in the case of Rome, using the largest number of stations available in the urban area could enhance the UPII evaluation, taking into consideration the urban structure and the specific characteristics of local emission sources. The results presented here, although related to a single city, demonstrate that the selection of urban stations for the evaluation of UPII is not straightforward and requires further investigation.

Phenotypic plasticity as the main driver of alien plant trait variation in urban versus rural microclimate for the model species Veronica persica.

Urban environments are warmer than the rural surroundings, impacting plant phenotypic traits. When plants are present over areas with contrasted conditions such as along urbanization gradients, their phenotypes may differ, and these differencesdepend on different processes, including phenotypic plasticity, maternal environmental effects and genetic differentiation (local adaptation and/or genetic drift). Successful establishment of alien species along environmental gradients has been linked to high phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolutionary responses, which are easier to track for species with a known residence time. The mechanisms explaining trait variation in plants in urban versus rural microclimatic conditions have received little attention. Using the alien Veronica persica as model species, we measured leaf traits in urban and rural populations and performed a reciprocal common-garden experiment to study how germination, leaf, growth, and flowering traits varied in response to experimental microclimate (rural or urban) and population origin environment (rural or urban). Veronica persica displayed phenotypic plasticity in all measured traits, with reduced germination, development, and flowering under urban microclimate which suggests more stressful growing conditions in the urban than in the rural microclimate. No significant effect of the rural or urban origin environment was detected, providing no evidence for local adaptation to urban or rural environments. Additionally, we found limited signs of maternal environmental effects. We noted the importance of the mother plant and the population identities suggesting genetically based differences. Our results indicate that urban environments are more hostile than rural ones, and that V. persica does not show any adaptation to urban environments despite genetic differences between populations.

Exploring the Complexities of Urban Forms and Urban Heat Islands: Insights from the Literature, Methodologies, and Current Status in Morocco

The Urban Heat Island phenomenon (UHI), characterized by elevated temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings, is highly exacerbated by urbanization and climate change. Understanding the complex relationship between UHI effect and urban form is crucial for effective urban planning and climate mitigation strategies. This paper examines the multifaceted connection between UHIs and urban forms, exploring various methods used to study this relationship. Through a review of the existing literature, we analyze the influence of various urban characteristics on the intensity and spatial distribution of UHIs. Furthermore, we discuss the key methods and technologies, such as remote sensing and modeling, used in advancing our understanding of UHI–urban form interactions. This study then delves into the literature on UHIs within the specific context of Morocco, identifying research gaps and emphasizing the need for more comprehensive research to address them. By translating study findings into actionable urban solutions, this paper suggests contextual mitigation strategies based on the research outcomes. Finally, by synthesizing current research findings and methodologies, this paper seeks to provide insights into the complexities of UHI dynamics and their implications for climate resilience, highlighting the potential of research for forging sustainable and climate-conscious planning strategies in Morocco and across the broader MENA region.

The potential for climate change and the resulting urban heat island effect in cities to assist the northerly migration of tree species

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic climate warming increased by approximately 1.35°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900) by 2021, and if it continues to increase at the current rate, such warming is expected to increase by a further 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052. As a result, many cities around the world are increasingly promoting and encouraging tree-planting initiatives to sequester carbon and mitigate this climate change. The changing climate is expected to shift the geographical distribution of tree species worldwide, and the phrase that such species need to “adapt, move or die” is gaining increased recognition. Thus, many cities have begun planting tree species from more southerly latitudes in their urban parks, streets and other municipal landscapes, particularly as many native tree species are increasingly struggling to adapt to these changes when growing in the city. The urban heat island effect in cities means that they are already ahead of their rural surroundings in terms of climate warming, and therefore they potentially offer suitable climatic conditions for tree species from more southerly latitudes to thrive. In addition, as trees can help to cool their environment, planting them in cities can slow the rate of warming, which in turn provides a better environment for native species to survive for decades to reach reproductive maturity, thus assisting regenerative expansion. This article considers the potential of tree planting in urban areas to assist the poleward migration of tree species in temperate regions. It specifically considers how the concept of the “urban heat island” that has begun to emerge in cities will provide opportunities for the establishment, growth and expansion of tree species from more southerly latitudes, as well as influencing the proposals of the recently introduced Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS).

Role of Surface Energy Fluxes in Urban Overheating Under Buoyancy‐Driven Atmospheric Conditions

AbstractUrbanization alters land surface properties in absorbing, reflecting and emitting radiation as well as infiltrating, evaporating and storing water. This consequently modifies surface energy and water fluxes and, thus, urban climates. Weak synoptic flow, clear sky conditions and higher surface temperatures in cities compared to their rural surroundings create a buoyancy‐driven atmospheric circulation, in which surface energy fluxes become the main determinants of urban daytime overheating. Here, we demonstrate the role of surface energy fluxes for warming and cooling processes in the urban canopy layer under buoyancy‐driven atmospheric conditions. We improve and apply an integrated CFD‐GIS modeling approach to provide a detailed analysis of fine‐scale land‐atmosphere interactions and assess the surfaces' profound implications on energy and water exchange. We show that variations in the ratios of the surface energy fluxes to the net radiation can be separated from meteorological conditions (wind speed, air temperature and incoming solar radiation) and emissivity values, varying explicitly with changes in land surface type and water availability for vegetated areas. Based on the energy flux ratios, we introduce an approach to assess the surface‐induced warming and cooling effect and its contribution to urban overheating in the urban canopy layer, under buoyancy‐driven atmospheric conditions, directly applicable to strategic urban planning for climate change adaptation. Independent of meteorological conditions, this approach can be used to evaluate different surface materials (both natural and artificial) and climate adaptation measures, such as urban nature‐based solutions and blue‐green infrastructures, and to monitor changes in the energy and water balance.

Hemma och borta: Kvinnors och mäns arbete i en förindustriell kontext

This article uses results from a large historical study on working practices to argue that a marked spatial and gendered separation of home and work is not a historical constant. Based on data extracted from court records from the Swedish city of Västerås and its rural surroundings in the period 1720–1881, the authors show that both women and men carried out a considerable share of their work in homes rather than in dedicated workplaces. Work in homes was multi-faceted rather than specialized, and could be both paid and unpaid. Women were more often observed working in their own homes but did also provide domestic services against payment (washing, cleaning) in other people’s homes. Men tended to work more often in other people’s homes, for instance, as carpenters, painters and in other crafts. Work away from home usually happened in public places: streets, squares, fields and woods. Some forms of work were particularly likely to occur in such sites, for example trade, transport, agriculture and forestry. Men were conspicuous in places like harbors and customs gates, places that functioned as hubs in economic life. Work caused both women and men to travel away from home, but men travelled further afield, and this gendered difference became more important towards the end of the nineteenth century. This was also when more men started to work in dedicated workplaces such as factories. There are many similarities between eighteenth- and nineteenth-century society and the society we live in today. In both cases, women and men often worked/work in spatial proximity. In both cases, the distinction between home and work was/is far from sharp and not stably linked to gender.

An integrated framework for jointly assessing spatiotemporal dynamics of surface urban heat island intensity and footprint: China, 2003–2020

An urban heat island (UHI) refers to a metropolitan area significantly warmer than its rural surroundings. Accurately quantifying UHI intensity (UHII) relies on selecting appropriate rural areas, which lack a universal definition. A crucial aspect in UHII quantification is considering the spatial extent of the UHI effect, known as its footprints (UHIFP). Here, we propose a framework to jointly estimate UHII and UHIFP, integrating the latter into the former. Our approach involves creating 12 equal-area buffer zones around each urban boundary and initially selecting the three farthest zones as rural areas. Using a seamless 1-km daily land surface temperature dataset on Google Earth Engine, we construct exponential decay models to characterize the temperature variations along the urban-area gradient of each city and to extract UHIFP from these models. The results reveal that the average UHIFP during daytime and nighttime are 2.6 and 2.7 times of the urban size, respectively, predominantly located before the three farthest buffer zones, thereby verifying the effectiveness of the selected rural areas for accurate UHII calculations. This framework is critical for evaluating the risks associated with extreme heatwaves and heat stress. It also provides suggestions for UHI mitigation measures from an urban–rural gradient perspective.

Urban development pattern’s influence on extreme rainfall occurrences

Growing urban population and the distinct strategies to accommodate them lead to diverse urban development patterns worldwide. While local evidence suggests the presence of urban signatures in rainfall anomalies, there is limited understanding of how rainfall responds to divergent urban development patterns worldwide. Here we unveil a divergence in the exposure to extreme rainfall for 1790 inland cities globally, attributable to their respective urban development patterns. Cities that experience compact development tend to witness larger increases in extreme rainfall frequency over downtown than their rural surroundings, while the anomalies in extreme rainfall frequency diminish for cities with dispersed development. Convection-permitting simulations further suggest compact urban footprints lead to more pronounced urban-rural thermal contrasts and aerodynamic disturbances. This is directly responsible for the divergent rainfall responses to urban development patterns. Our analyses offer significant insights pertaining to the priorities and potential of city-level efforts to mitigate the emerging climate-related hazards, particularly for countries experiencing rapid urbanization.

Analysis of the Impact of Urban Green Spaces on Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, characterized by higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings, poses significant challenges for energy consumption, air quality, and public health. This study examines the impact of urban green spaces on mitigating the UHI effect in four major Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, ground-based temperature measurements, and advanced GIS and statistical modeling techniques, we quantified the temperature differences between green and non-green urban areas. Our findings indicate that green spaces, including parks, street trees, and green roofs, significantly reduce urban temperatures, with parks exhibiting the highest cooling effects. The spatial analysis revealed that UHI hotspots are concentrated in densely built-up areas, while green spaces effectively mitigate these effects. Seasonal variations show that the cooling benefits of green spaces are more pronounced during the summer months. This study highlights the importance of incorporating diverse and well-distributed green spaces in urban planning to enhance thermal comfort, reduce energy consumption, and improve urban livability. Policy recommendations are provided to guide the integration of green infrastructure in climate adaptation strategies for Spanish cities.

Body size responses to urban temperature variations are driven by life history traits in spiders

Abstract Urban ecosystems exhibit altered environmental conditions compared to the rural surroundings, including higher temperatures, the so‐called urban heat island (UHI) effect. Along urbanisation gradients, temperature variations occur at various scales ranging from the landscape to the microhabitat, with possible consequences on living organisms. As ectothermic animals, arthropods are particularly affected by UHIs because warming may directly induce physiological effects on their metabolism. Body size is a commonly used metric to investigate arthropod responses to thermal stress, but the scale‐dependent role of temperature variation as predictor of body size remains unclear. To assess temperature–size relationships across spatial scales and test if a common pattern to several species emerges, we performed morphological measurements on 2283 individuals representing 11 spider species belonging to Hahniidae, Linyphiidae, Lycosidae and Tetragnathidae. Spiders were collected on 36 grasslands distributed along a broad UHI gradient. Intraspecific shifts in body size were related to temperature in the Lycosids Pardosa prativaga and Pardosa pullata at the landscape and local scales, respectively, whereas no clear effects were observed regarding the other examined species. In both species, sex was an important endogenous factor that modulated individual responses; females were more affected than males by temperature. The contrasting amplitudes of the responses observed among Lycodids and the other species indicate that large, low dispersive and univoltine species are under a stronger influence of temperature than small bivotline species that can disperse aerially. Our results on spiders highlight that considering species‐specific life history traits helps to understand contrasting responses among species, and this may be essential for drawing general patterns of phenotypic changes among arthropods under anthropogenic warming. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Walking With A Camera

In his work, the author primarily focuses on the urban landscape and its impacts on human life. His entire documentary work is linked by a unified authorial idea. In the “Jungle City” cycle, he works with the visual counterpart of the current form of the Bratislava metropolis, full of transportation routes, dense modern development, and concrete surfaces. The means to create unexpected views of the city for him are carefully selected locations on the urban peripheries surrounded by dense vegetation – trees and wild grasses. He thus achieves a completely new view of Bratislava, in which it returns to the wilderness. The project “Quiet Sunday Afternoons in the Town by the Refinery” is the author’s reflection on the impacts of industry in the rural surroundings. The focal point is the technical structure of an oil factory, which covers a significant part of an otherwise tranquil landscape of a small Austrian town. However, through austere visual expression, Korček delivers an urgent message about the adverse impact of the factory on the ecosystem. As part of the series “Here Is Our Paradise”, which unifies the theme of lawns and trees, Korček addresses the disruption of the stereotype of urban housing estates through the small self-help interventions of their residents. While walking with a camera, he supplements these plants with various found mixtures of folk interventions placed in front of panel buildings. In the “Searching” series, he adopts the position of an observer of urban movement, consisting of figures of pedestrians in narrow rays of the low-lying sun. This time he works in the environment of New York, but unlike the previous series, he does not specify this location, only utilizing its elemental potential. Korček does not work with photographic effects; he fully utilizes the poetics of the chosen locations. He skillfully works with perspective, multiple plans, or the selection of a location. Through their specific combination, he succeeds in creating authentic images of the location, in which we still find a lot of personal fantasy.

Green Oases in the Concrete Desert: Combatting Beijing’s Heat with Urban Greenery

In the face of rapid urbanization, Beijing confronts the escalating challenge of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, characterized by significantly higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings. This phenomenon not only exacerbates the thermal discomfort in city environments but also poses a substantial risk to public health and well-being. Amidst this urban climate crisis, the potential of green spaces emerges as a crucial mitigative and adaptive strategy. This comprehensive study embarks on an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted role that urban greenery plays in combatting the UHI effect and bolstering the well-being of Beijing’s residents. Employing a triangulated research methodology, the study harnesses high-resolution satellite imagery to delineate the thermal footprint of green spaces within the urban matrix of Beijing. Through detailed temperature analysis, it meticulously quantifies the extent to which parks, gardens, and tree-lined avenues contribute to cooling urban environments. Complementing this quantitative analysis, the study engages with the urban populace through extensive surveys, capturing perceptions and lived experiences of the thermal environment and the subjective well-being associated with access to green spaces. The findings reveal a significant cooling effect attributed to urban greenery, with marked temperature reductions in areas with dense vegetation cover. Beyond the thermal benefits, the research uncovers a positive correlation between access to green spaces and improvements in residents’ physical and psychological health, highlighting the critical role of green spaces in promoting urban livability and sustainability. This study advances the discourse on urban planning and public health by providing empirical evidence of the benefits of integrating green spaces into the urban fabric of Beijing. It underscores the urgency of adopting green infrastructure as a standard in urban development projects, not only as a countermeasure to the UHI effect but also as a foundational element for enhancing the quality of life in densely populated urban centers. The research concludes with strategic recommendations for urban policymakers, advocating for the expansion and optimization of green spaces as indispensable assets for achieving a resilient and health-promoting urban environment in Beijing.

Microscale Investigation of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Annaba City: Unveiling Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Cities are facing significant challenges related to climate change, particularly due to the increasing impact of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. The present study investigated the UHI phenomenon at the microscale in Annaba, Algeria. The research involved a multi-step approach, starting with on-site measurements of urban microclimate parameters, performed in downtown Annaba on 6 July 2023. The UHI intensity was quantified by comparing city-measured temperatures with rural surroundings. Thermal imaging is then used to empirically identify the contributing factors to UHI initiation at the microscale. The study employed the ENVI-met model to analyse mitigation strategies, manipulating parameters for six scenarios including the current design of the study area. Outputs were used to assess the impact of these strategies on air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The findings revealed an intense UHI effect in Annaba city with a peak difference of 6.9 °C, with practical implications for buildings, ground and roads, vehicles, air conditioners, and specific facade materials. Introducing urban vegetation, particularly urban trees and green roofs, proved highly effectiveness in mitigating the UHI in downtown Annaba. Urban trees demonstrated the most substantial impact, reducing temperatures by 1.9 °C at 1 p.m., while green roof temperature reductions ranged from 0.1 °C to 2 °C.

The Impact of the Air-Conditioning Systems on the Urban Microclimate of Beirut City

The urban heat island consists of the increase in the ambient temperature in urban areas with respect to their rural surroundings, due to artificial modifications of the natural land cover. As a result, significant increase in the demand on cooling loads occurs in cities during summer, inducing more energy consumption in buildings. Furthermore, air-conditioning systems release anthropogenic waste heat to outdoor intensifying the urban heat island. Therefore, an interactive relation exists between the heat islands formation and the cooling systems as well as mutual impacts. Hence, the contribution of the air-conditioning systems to the urban heat island is assessed through an appropriate numerical simulation for Beirut city. It is found that the intensive use of air conditioning systems in Beirut during summer could rise the street air temperature of about 0.8°C in the daytime and up to 4.7°C in the nighttime.

Влияние метеофакторов на среднесуточную интенсивность городского острова тепла Екатеринбурга

Urban heat island (UHI) intensity in the surface air temperature field is equal to the difference between temperatures (averaged for the period under consideration) in the city and in the immediate rural surroundings. Using multi-regression analysis, We investigated the meteorological factors determining the mean daily UHI intensity based on observational data at weather stations in Yekaterinburg and the village of Verkhneye Dubrovo in 2020–2022. The average value of an UHI intensity in May-September equals to 0.94 °C with a standard deviation of daily mean values of 0.71 °C. The multiple linear regression model includes the difference in the relative humidity of the atmosphere in the city and the village, the weather factor determined by wind speed and cloudiness, and atmospheric pressure. This “summer” model describes 60 % of the observed UHI variance. In December-March, the average UHI intensity equals to 0.81 °C with a standard deviation of mean daily values of 0.82 °C. The regression model includes only the weather factor explaining 27 % of the UHI variability. It is concluded that the UHI intensity in Yekaterinburg is primarily determined by solar radiation and various properties of urban and rural surfaces (albedo, emissivity, thermal properties of soils). They determine the maximal UHI intensity that is realized only in “ideal” weather (weather factor ~1). Deviations from “ideal” conditions described by meteorological factors only reduce the maximal UHI intensity. In winter, heat leaks from buildings and heating networks weakly dependent on the meteorological factors make an additional contribution to the UHI intensity.

Mitigating Urban Heat Islands Using Green Roof Technology

Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) are a growing concern in metropolitan areas due to the concentration of infrastructure, reduced vegetation, and increased human activities. The UHI effect results in higher temperatures in urban areas compared to rural surroundings, contributing to adverse environmental and health impacts. One of the promising mitigation strategies is the implementation of green roof technology. This paper investigates the potential of green roofs in reducing UHI effects by analyzing their thermal performance, vegetation characteristics, and energy savings. An experimental study was conducted on two types of green roofs: extensive and intensive, across three cities with varied climatic conditions. Results showed that green roofs could reduce the surface temperature by up to 5°C, resulting in significant reductions in building cooling demands. The study concludes that green roofs, particularly extensive systems, offer a viable solution for UHI mitigation while providing additional ecological and economic benefits.

Effect of heatwaves on urban sea breeze, heat island intensity, and outdoor thermo-hygrometric comfort in Rome (Italy)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of heatwaves on sea breeze, urban heat island intensity, and outdoor thermo-hygrometric comfort analysing ground-based remote sensing and in-situ meteorological measurements collected in a Mediterranean coastal metropolitan area (Rome, Italy) during the summer of 2022. The dataset (01 May - 31 August 2022) has been divided into heatwaves and not-heatwaves days to highlight the distinctive features of extreme heat episodes. Furthermore, the year 2022 was compared to 2020, the latter having been characterised by temperatures in line with the last two-decades.The heatwaves do not significantly affect the onset time and the duration of sea breeze, while its cooling effect intensifies during the heatwaves. The urban heat island intensity (UHII) is evaluated by computing the hourly-averaged air temperature difference between two stations, one in the urban centre and the other in rural surroundings. Although the daily-averaged UHII does not show significant differences among the years under investigation and the subsets, marked differences can be identified in the urban heat island daily cycle. In fact, during daytime the highest temperatures are detected in rural inland areas while, at night, the city experiences higher temperatures, especially during the heatwaves. Finally, the Mediterranean outdoor comfort index suggests that a heatwave seems to be a not sufficient condition for human thermo-hygrometric stress, even if stronger discomfort is experienced during heatwaves.

Urban Design Impact on Local Climate and its Consequences on Building Energy Demand in Morocco

Urban design has a profound impact on the local climate, which can result in changes in temperature distribution and energy demand. The Urban Heat Island (UHI), a well-documented issue where cities typically experience higher temperatures than the cooler rural surroundings that envelop them, is closely tied to urban design and its geometrical features. This increase in temperature can lead to increased energy consumption, particularly for air conditioning, as populations strive to maintain thermal comfort. Within this framework, this paper seeks to advance our comprehension of the influence of urban design on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and building energy requirements. It makes a valuable contribution to the expanding body of research in this field, offering insightful guidance on optimal urban design strategies tailored to diverse climate zones in Morocco. To achieve these goals, we explore multiple urban design scenarios incorporating variations in building heights, street aspect ratios, building layout configurations, and street orientations. We employ the Urban Weather Generator and EnergyPlus for our analysis, with the former enabling the generation of synthetic weather data that accounts for the UHI effect in urban contexts, and the latter facilitating building energy simulations. The simulation results reveal a wide-ranging hourly variation in Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity, spanning from 11°C to -5°C across the cities under study. Among these cities, Ifrane, Marrakesh, and Fes exhibit the highest average annual UHI intensity. Incorporating UHI considerations into energy simulations has yielded notable outcomes. Low-rise buildings experience a reduction in total energy requirements, while mid-rise and high-rise buildings exhibit an increase. For instance, adopting an urban design scenario featuring 20-story buildings and a street aspect ratio of 0.33 led to a rise in total energy demands between 8% and 19%. Furthermore, the street aspect ratio (H/W) emerges as the primary driver of UHI, whereas street orientation and building layout exert the most substantial influence on building energy requirements. Inefficient building layouts result in a significant increase in building energy needs, ranging from 106% to 121%, while less energy-efficient street orientations lead to total energy needs escalating by 28% to 76%.