Building temperature

Some SuDS components, particularly green roofs and trees, can moderate the temperature of buildings, helping to regulate thermal comfort by offering shading/cooling in summer and insulation in winter. This can reduce the need for mechanical heating/air conditioning and reduce energy costs. For example, a 10% increase in tree canopy could reduce expected surface temperatures in the urban area by 2.5⁰C (Gill et al, 2007).

A review of available approaches indicated that assessing the general air temperature changes is tricky. There is growing concerns about the impact of urban heat island effects on the quality of health of vulnerable people in cities. However, for the moment, this benefit focuses on more local impacts on buildings using green roofs.

Furthermore, the heating and cooling impact by trees on properties is highly variable as shown through various ‘tree’ guides in the US, depending upon the position of the tree, how far away from the house and type. Due to this level of complexity, and the individual relationship of one tree to a property, it has not been included for assessment at this stage.

Read more on:

• Benefits of SuDS
• Flood risk management
• Water quality management
• Biodiversity & ecology
• Amenity
• Air quality
• Carbon reduction & sequestration
• Crime
• Economic growth
• Education
• Enabling development
• Flexible infrastructure/climate change adaptation
• Groundwater recharge
• Health & wellbeing
• Pumping wastewater
• Rainwater harvesting
• Recreation
• Tourism
• Traffic calming
• Treating wastewater
• SuDS performance and monitoring