Integrated Assessment of sustainable roofing technologies for urban heat island mitigation: a data-driven case study in Nantong, China

This study evaluates eco-friendly roof systems’ potential to mitigate the summertime urban heat island (UHI) effect in Nantong City, China, using an optimized, Python-based energy balance model. Unlike previous single-technology analyses, this research integrates dark membrane, high-albedo, green, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Francis Deng Clement, Jiang Yan, Shutian Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2533219
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Summary:This study evaluates eco-friendly roof systems’ potential to mitigate the summertime urban heat island (UHI) effect in Nantong City, China, using an optimized, Python-based energy balance model. Unlike previous single-technology analyses, this research integrates dark membrane, high-albedo, green, and solar-integrated roofing options into one model, leveraging in-situ meteorological and field data from similar coastal cities for local accuracy. Dark membrane and black PV-covered roofs showed the highest peak sensible heat fluxes (320–400 W/m2). While PV panels slightly increased peak flux, they reduced total sensible flux from black roofs by 12%. Converting black membrane roofs to cool (high-albedo) or green roofs decreased the total sensible flux by 48%. Integrating solar panels atop reflective or green roofs achieved a 60% reduction, demonstrating optimal cooling and renewable energy generation. This is the first quantified evaluation of PV-integrated roofing solutions in Nantong’s urban climate, offering a novel framework for modeling heat flux interactions. The findings provide a data-driven basis for UHI mitigation, sustainable urban planning, and offer recommendations for optimizing roof designs in Chinese coastal cities, promoting long-term urban resilience.
ISSN:1347-2852