Neighborhoods feeling the heat as medium density housing robs suburbs of street and garden trees

Date:
March 23, 2022
Source:
University of South Australia
Summary:
Researchers are calling for new national planning policies to
mandate the inclusion of trees in any future housing developments
and architectural designs.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers are calling for new national planning policies to mandate the inclusion of trees in any future housing developments and architectural designs. New housing subdivisions, smaller yards and a dependence on
air conditioning have resulted in a 30 per cent decline in Australian residential trees in the past decade, leading to hotter neighbourhoods
and increased energy costs.


==========================================================================
The dramatic loss of suburban trees has led to UniSA environmental
researchers calling for new national planning policies to mandate the
inclusion of trees in any development or housing design.

Qualified architect and UniSA PhD candidate Mina Rouhollahi says a recent
study of 90 Australian residential suburbs shows tree-inclusive gardens
and yards provide up to a 30-metre buffer around each land unit during
summer heatwaves.

"Deciduous trees, in particular, provide summer shade, while their bare branches allow heat to penetrate into the house in winter," Rouhollahi
says.

"Local government focuses on public parks and urban forests but it's the residential trees that make a significant difference to home energy costs.

Also, private land tree planting provides a better environment for
children, improving urban aesthetics and increasing home values."
Rouhollahi and her UniSA colleagues, including supervisor Professor
John Boland, have designed an optimal tree strategy for different
housing configurations, nominating specific tree types, tree volumes,
and correct placement to achieve maximum benefits.



========================================================================== Their strategy is outlined in a new paper published in Energy and
Buildings.

It incorporates all seasons and microclimates, allowing planners,
developers and designers to adopt the tree options that suit specific environments.

Their research recommends five optimal tree arrangements depending on
deep soil availability and space.

"We need a more cohesive urban planning approach to compensate for
residential tree loss in recent decades and regulate heat as well as
curb energy costs," Prof Boland says.

The researchers' proposal aligns with the latest IPCC report, recommending increased space between houses to allow for more trees, as well as
utilising reflective building materials. The report says taking these
steps could significantly decrease urban heat, reduce the reliance on electricity, and thereby cut blackout risks.



==========================================================================
A major challenge, however, is to change Australians' attitudes,
increasing the focus on home energy efficiency through appropriate tree planting, double glazing and better house design, moving away from air conditioning reliance.

"Australians have the power to influence the design process, requesting
tree allocation when building or buying their home, in the same way
they insisted on a double garage in the 1990s. The focus has shifted
to boosting our wellbeing and the role that trees play in this,"
Rouhollahi says.

"Redesigning our homes with trees in mind will better serve residents,
cities, and the environment. Trees have numerous benefits: they shield us
from the sun, provide wind protection, reduce stormwater runoff, passive cooling and natural ventilation. The net result is a more energy efficient home, lower energy costs, reduced air conditioning, CO2 emissions and less polluted air." Current residential development policies rely on public
and communal open spaces to compensate for the lack of trees in private
yards. Yet, this does not provide energy savings, the researchers say.

The researchers hope their recommendations, outlining different optimal
tree options, will be adopted by local councils and embedded in their
planning policies.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_South_Australia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mina Rouhollahi, David Whaley, Josh Byrne, John Boland. Potential
residential tree arrangement to optimise dwelling energy efficiency.

Energy and Buildings, 2022; 261: 111962 DOI: 10.1016/
j.enbuild.2022.111962 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220323101303.htm

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