AbriCoCoDA: A Novel Approach to Urban Heat Mitigation Through Bio-Analogous Climate Shelters

Urban overheating, driven by the increasing frequency of extreme heat events, poses significant challenges to public health and thermal comfort in densely populated areas. Factors such as inadequate building thermal design, and a lack of accessible outdoor heat shelters further intensify these challenges, underscoring the urgent need for urban adaptation strategies.

Green infrastructure, particularly continuous tree cover in parks, effectively mitigates heat stress in urban environments through shading and evapotranspiration processes. Urban design elements, such as building layouts and shading devices, also improve thermal comfort by providing shade and reducing radiant heat exposure. However, projections suggest that by the end of the century, during peak summer conditions in cities like Lyon, France, only the cores of urban forests may offer effective heat shelters.

The AbriCoCoDA project introduces the concept of bio-analogous climate shelters—structures designed to replicate the thermal benefits of continuous tree canopies. These shelters provide complementary solutions in urban areas where vegetation is constrained. Key features include insulated roofs and a specific design that minimizes the exposure to reflected solar radiation, thereby compensating for the lack of evapotranspiration in the shelter roofs.

To determine optimal design parameters, the project developed a dedicated microclimatic model, addressing limitations in existing tools like ENVI-met or SOLWEIG, which are not fully adapted to simulate such shelters. This model enables simulations to assess critical factors such as height-to-land-cover ratios and thermal insulation properties. Preliminary results indicate that these parameters are essential for effective shelter design.

Focusing on the Lyon metropolitan area, the project identifies strategic locations for implementing these shelters. By establishing design guidelines and addressing implementation challenges, the AbriCoCoDA project contributes to the development of resilient urban environments, enhancing thermal comfort and public health in the face of climate change.