Impact of future climate scenarios and courtyard microclimate with green facades on thermal performance of urban blocks with courtyards in mediterranean climate

Abstract

Abstract Urban buildings significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while also being highly vulnerable to rising temperatures driven by climate change. This dual role is particularly critical in Mediterranean regions, where hot, dry summers and dense urban fabrics exacerbate thermal discomfort. This study investigates the impact of future climate scenarios (2050 and 2080) on indoor thermal comfort in residential blocks with interior courtyards. A numerical approach based on TRNSYS 18 is used, combining a microclimatic courtyard model and a green wall energy balance model. Thermal discomfort is evaluated over the summer period for all building floors, distinguishing daytime (06:00–18:00) and nighttime (18:00–06:00) conditions. The results show a marked increase in cumulative discomfort (°C.h), especially on upper floors where solar exposure and heat accumulation are highest. Green walls demonstrate notable effectiveness on intermediate floors (4th–8th), acting as thermal buffers and reducing peak overheating during the day. However, their performance is limited at night due to the dominance of stored heat release over direct solar gains which highlight the importance of integrating green walls with complementary passive strategies to enhance resilience to climate change in dense urban environments.