Evaluating front yard greenery for enhanced indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency

Industrial urban areas with limited greenery, such as West Melbourne, face challenges including poor Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), diminished thermal comfort, and increased energy consumption due to pollution accumulation, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, and reliance on mechanical ventilation. This study aims to explore the potential of front yard greenery as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) to address these issues by improving IEQ and energy efficiency.

A data-driven approach is employed, analysing air quality data, tree selection reports, wind studies, urban structure assessments, and thermal comfort hours to assess the role of outdoor greenery, particularly within the Buffer Zone between vegetation and buildings. The findings suggest that strategic tree placement can influence wind flow, reduce solar radiation, improve IEQ, enhance indoor comfort, and align with Melbourne’s sustainability strategies. This research provides novel insights into integrating front yard greenery into urban planning, contributing to the optimisation of private greenery for more sustainable urban development, particularly in areas with limited greenery and high environmental stressors.