Integrating Energy Performance and Public Space Metrics: A Study from the Perspective of Urban Design

Abstract

Global warming necessitates energy-efficient urban design. Urban morphology critically impacts both building energy use and public space quality. While prior studies focus on typological parameters (e.g., FAR, density), block-scale energy performance also depends on contextual features like street proportions and public space ratios. This research examines how morphological variations affect energy efficiency and spatial quality by analyzing blocks with identical FAR but differing configurations. Key metrics—alignment ratio, effective street length, and street space density—are evaluated through energy simulations. Results identify specific typologies that simultaneously optimize energy performance and pedestrian experience, demonstrating the potential for integrated low-carbon, human-centric urban design. These findings provide actionable insights for early-stage planning to achieve sustainable built environments.