Understanding radiative performance of urban trees

Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments

University of Reading

The focus on the radiative and biological response of trees to solar near infrared (NIR) and long-wave (LW) radiation in an urban context fits with the uptake of urban greening as an engineering solution to climate change. The interactions between trees/vegetation and buildings can significantly influence the urban thermal environment, but their radiative exchanges are insufficiently understood (especially in the NIR or LW ranges). This research will enable a step change in the understanding of this important aspect of urban trees and provide quantitative and systematic information, which facilitates tree species selection and built environment design.

The main research objectives of this project over the 4 year period are to systematically quantify the interactions between trees with solar radiation and the urban thermal environment, so as to assess their passive cooling performances. The knowledge will improve understanding of the benefits and potential issues of trees (e.g. subsidence, VOC emissions) in an urban context, leading to a database of the measured performances and related insights, for example, due to the effects of soil moisture and tree management, to aid decision making about trees in the urban environment.

More information here (PDF). Apply via http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/apply/pg-applicationform.aspx