Evaluation of the role of green walls in enhancing outdoor thermal comfort in different morphologies of building blocks

Various research has been conducted to enhance thermal comfort as a disturbed indicator in the unbalanced development of built environments. Some researchers have focused on the form and geometry of urban blocks as influential factors. Also, some have studied the effect of greenery in urban walls on improving thermal comfort. By defining six categories and 22 subgroups of the geometry of urban blocks in Tehran, this research is focused on identifying the effect of green walls on urban blocks in Tehran and the effect on thermal comfort in summer. Different geometries were changed based on changes in the direction of wind corridors, the height of blocks, and shading. The simulation of scenarios to conduct studies has been done in ENVI-met software. The results showed that changing the building typology (even by applying green walls) was insufficient to provide outdoor thermal comfort in Tehran; however, the separate cubes scenario provided better outdoor thermal conditions. The results of this study highlighted the importance of solar shading for outdoor spaces, as well as considering adaptive opportunities in site design for landscape architects and site designers.