Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Urban surface modeling and the meso-scale impact of cities

  • Published:
Theoretical and Applied Climatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

New developments of the international community in modeling the urban canopy surface energy balance are presented and classified into five main categories: (i) models statistically fit to observations, (ii) and (iii) modified vegetation schemes with or without drag terms in the canopy, and (iv) and (v), new urban canopy schemes, that present both horizontal and vertical surfaces, again with or without a drag approach. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of model are explained. In general, the more the physics are correctly simulated, the more complex are the urban phenomenon that can be addressed, on the other hand however, the more consuming of computer-time and difficult to couple with atmospheric models the scheme becomes.

Present use of these new models in meso-scale atmospheric models show their ability to reproduce the phenomenon of the urban heat island (UHI) and some of its consequences – urban breezes, storm initiation, interaction with sea-breeze. Their use opens up new perspectives, for example in the mitigation of the UHI, or assessment of the role of air-conditioning systems or the impact of urban dynamics on air pollution.

However, there is need to validate further the different urban models available. In particular it is necessary to compare model output with urban surface energy balance measurements. An intercomparison exercise involving these urban schemes is suggested as an efficient way to assess and improve these models.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AJ Arnfield (1982) ArticleTitleAn approach to the estimation of the surface radiative properties and radiation budgets of cities. Phys Geog 3 97–122

    Google Scholar 

  • AJ Arnfield (2003) ArticleTitleTwo decades of urban climate research: a review of turbulence, exchanges of energy and water, and the urban heat island. Int J Climatol 23 1–26 Occurrence Handle10.1002/joc.859

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AJ Arnfield CSB Grimmond (1998) ArticleTitleAn urban energy budget model and its application to urban storage heat flux modeling. Energy and Build 27 61–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Y Ashie VT Ca T Asaeda (1999) ArticleTitleBuilding canopy model for the analysis of urban climate. J Wind Engineering 81 237–248

    Google Scholar 

  • BW Atkinson (2003) ArticleTitleNumerical modelling of urban heat-island intensity. Bound-Layer Meteorol 109 IssueID3 285–310

    Google Scholar 

  • JJ Baik YH Kim HY Chun (2001) ArticleTitleDry and moist convection forced by an urban heat island. J Appl Meteor 40 1462–1475 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<1462:DAMCFB>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JF Barlow SE Belcher (2002) ArticleTitleA wind tunnel model for quantifying fluxes in the urban boundary layer. Bound-Layer Meteorol 104 131–150

    Google Scholar 

  • MJ Best (1998) ArticleTitleA model to predict surface temperatures. Bound-Layer Meteorol 88 279–306

    Google Scholar 

  • R Bornstein Q Lin (2000) ArticleTitleUrban heat islands and summertime convective thunderstorms in Atlanta: three case studies. Atmos Environ 34 507–516 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1352-2310(99)00374-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Bottema (1997) ArticleTitleUrban roughness modelling in relation to pollutant dispersion. Atmos Environ 31 IssueID18 3059–3075 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1352-2310(97)00117-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown MJ (2000) Urban parameterizations for mesoscale meteorological models. In: Boybeyi Z (ed) (193–255). Mesoscale atmospheric dispersion. Wessex Press, 448 pp

  • SA Changnon (1978) ArticleTitleMETROMEX issue. J Appl Meteor 17 565–716

    Google Scholar 

  • B Cros P Durand E Frejafon C Kottmeer P-E Perros V-H Peuch J-L Ponche D Robin F Saïd G Toupance H Wortham (2003) ArticleTitleThe ESCOMPTE Program: an overview. Atmos Res 69 IssueID3–4 241–279

    Google Scholar 

  • S Dupont TL Otte JKS Ching (2004) ArticleTitleSimulation of meteorological fields within and above urban and rural canopies with a mesoscale model (MM5). Bound-Layer Meteorol 113 111–158

    Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TR Oke (2002) ArticleTitleTurbulent heat fluxes in urban areas: Observations & local-scale urban meteorological parameterization scheme (LUMPS). J Appl Meteor 41 792–810 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2002)041<0792:THFIUA>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond C Souch (1994) ArticleTitleSurface description for urban climate studies: a gis based methodology. Geocarto International 1 47–60

    Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond HA Cleugh TR Oke (1991) ArticleTitleAn objective urban heat storage model and its comparison with other schemes. Atmos Environ 25B 311–326

    Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TR Oke (1986) ArticleTitleUrban water balance. 2. results from a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. Water Resour Res 22 1404–1412

    Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TR Oke (1991) ArticleTitleAn evapotranspiration-interception model for urban areas. Water Resour Res 27 1739–1755 Occurrence Handle10.1029/91WR00557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TR Oke (1999a) ArticleTitleHeat storage in urban areas: local-scale observations and evaluation of a simple model. J Appl Meteor 38 922–940

    Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TR Oke (1999b) ArticleTitleAerodynamic properties of urban areas derived from analysis of surface form. J Appl Meteor 38 1262–1292

    Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TS King M Roth TR Oke (1998) ArticleTitleAerodynamic roughness of urban areas derived from wind observations. Bound-Layer Meteor 89 1–24 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1001525622213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CSB Grimmond TR Oke DG Steyn (1986) ArticleTitleUrban water balance. 1. A model for daily totals. Water Resour Res 22 1397–1403

    Google Scholar 

  • Hémon D, Jougla E (2003) Estimation de la surmortalité et principales caractéristiques épidémiologiques. Technical report, INSERM (in French)

  • T Ichinose K Shimodozono K Hanaki (1999) ArticleTitleImpact of anthropogenic heat on urban climate in Tokyo. Atmos Environ 33 3897–3909 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1352-2310(99)00132-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klemm O (1995) Transport and distribution of air pollutants in Athens (Greece). In: Moussiopoulos N et al (ed) Aircraft measurements during MEDCAPHOT-TRACE

  • H Kondo (1990) ArticleTitleA numerical experiment of the “extended sea breeze” over the Kanto plain. J Meteor Soc Japan 68 IssueID4 419–433

    Google Scholar 

  • H Kondo (1995) ArticleTitleThe thermally induced local wind and surface inversion over the Kanto plain on calm winter nights. J Appl Meteor 34 IssueID6 1439–1448 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(1995)034<1439:TTILWA>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H Kondo Y Kikegawa (2003) ArticleTitleTemperature variation in the urban canopy with anthropogenic energy use. Pure Appl Geophys 160 317–324 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00024-003-8780-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H Kondo FH Liu (1998) ArticleTitleA study on the urban thermal environment obtained through one-dimensional urban canopy model. J Japan Soc Atmos Environ 33 179–192

    Google Scholar 

  • H Kusaka H Kondo Y Kikegawa F Kimura (2001) ArticleTitleA simple single-layer urban canopy model for atmospheric models: comparison with multi-layer and slab models. Bound-Layer Meteor 101 329–358 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1019207923078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J-P Lafore J Stein N Asencio P Bougeault V Ducrocq J Duron C Fischer P Héreil P Mascart V Masson J-P Pinty J-L Redelsperger E Richard J Vila-Guerau de Arellano (1998) ArticleTitleThe Meso-NH atmospheric simulation system. Part I: adiabatic formulation and control simulation. Ann Geophys 16 90–109

    Google Scholar 

  • A Lemonsu CSB Grimmond V Masson (2004) ArticleTitleModelling the surface energy balance of an old Mediterranean city core. J Appl Meteor 43 312–327 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2004)043<0312:MTSEBO>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Lemonsu V Masson (2002) ArticleTitleSimulation of a summer urban Breeze over Paris. Bound-Layer Meteor 104 463–490 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1016509614936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Lemonsu G Pigeon V Masson C Moppert (2006) ArticleTitleSea-town interactions over Marseille: 3D urban boundary layer and thermodynamic fields near the surface. Theor Appl Climatol 84 171–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemonsu A, Bastin S, Masson V, Drobinski P (2005) Vertical structure of the urban boundary layer over Marseille under sea-breeze condition. Bound-Layer Meteor (accepted)

  • A Martilli (2002) ArticleTitleNumerical study of urban impact on boundary layer structure: sensitivity to wind speed, urban morphology and rural soil moisture. J Appl Meteor 41 1247–1266 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2002)041<1247:NSOUIO>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Martilli (2003) ArticleTitleA two-dimensional numerical study of the impact of a city on atmospheric circulation and pollutant dispersion in a coastal environment. Bound-Layer Meteor 108 91–119 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1023044100064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Martilli A Clappier M Rotach (2002) ArticleTitleAn urban surface exchange parameterization for mesoscale models. Bound-Layer Meteor 104 261–304 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1016099921195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Martilli YA Roulet M Junier F Kirchner A Clappier M Rotach (2003) ArticleTitleOn the impact of urban surface exchange parameterisations on air quality simulations: the Athens case. Atmos Environ 37 4207–4231 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1352-2310(03)00564-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V Masson (2000) ArticleTitleA physically-based scheme for the urban energy budget in atmospheric models. Bound-Layer Meteor 94 357–397 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1002463829265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V Masson CSB Grimmond TR Oke (2002) ArticleTitleEvaluation of the Town Energy Balance (TEB) scheme with direct measurements from dry districts in two cities. J Appl Meteor 41 1011–1026

    Google Scholar 

  • L Menut R Vautard C Flamant C Abonnel M Beekmann P Chazette PH Flamant D Gombert D Guedalia D Kley M-P Lefebvre B Lossec D Martin G Megie M Sicard P Perros G Toupance (2000) ArticleTitleMeasurement and modeling of atmospheric pollution over the Paris area: the ESQUIF Project. Annales Geophysicae 18 1467–1481

    Google Scholar 

  • G Mills (1997) ArticleTitleAn urban canopy-layer climate model. Theor Appl Climatol 57 229–244 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00863615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JL Monteith (1965) ArticleTitleEvaporation and the environment. Symposium of the society for experimental biology 19 205–224

    Google Scholar 

  • J Noilhan (1981) ArticleTitleA model for the net total radiation flux at the surfaces of a building. Building and Environment 16 IssueID4 259–266 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0360-1323(81)90004-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B Offerle CSB Grimmond (2003) ArticleTitleParameterization of net all-wave radiation for urban areas. J Appl Meteor 42 1157–1173 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2003)042<1157:PONARF>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TR Oke (1976) ArticleTitleThe distinction between canopy and boundary-layer urban heat islands. Atmosphere 14 268–277

    Google Scholar 

  • TR Oke (1982) ArticleTitleThe energic basis of the urban heat island. Quart J Roy Meteor Soc 108 1–24 Occurrence Handle10.1256/smsqj.45501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oke TR (1987) Boundary layer climates, 2nd edn. London: Methuen, 435 pp

  • TR Oke RA Spronken-Smith E Jàuregui CSB Grimmond (1999) ArticleTitleThe energy balance of central Mexico City during the dry season. Atmos Environ 33 3919–3930 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1352-2310(99)00134-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Rotach (2001) ArticleTitleUrban scale dispersion modelling using a Lagrangian Particule dispersion model. Bound-Layer Meteor 99 379–410 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1018973813500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Roth (2000) ArticleTitleReview of atmospheric turbulence over cities. Quart J Roy Meteor Soc 126 941–990 Occurrence Handle10.1256/smsqj.56408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CM Rozoff W Cotton J Adegoke (2003) ArticleTitleSimulation of St. Louis, Missouri, land use impacts on thunderstorms. J Appl Meteor 42 716–738 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(2003)042<0716:SOSLML>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarrat C (2003) Modélisation à l‘échelle régionale de la pollution atmosphérique: application à la campagne ESQUIF. PhD thesis, Université Paul Sabatier

  • H Taha (1999) ArticleTitleModifying a mesoscale meteorological model to better incorporate urban heat storage: a bulk parameterization approach. J Appl Meteor 38 466–473 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0450(1999)038<0466:MAMMMT>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Urano T Ichinose K Hanaki (1999) ArticleTitleThermal environment simulation for three dimensional replacement of urban activity. J Wind Engineering 81 197–210

    Google Scholar 

  • JA Voogt CSB Grimmond (2000) ArticleTitleModeling surface sensible heat flux using surface radiative temperatures in a simple urban area. J Appl Meteor 39 1679–1699

    Google Scholar 

  • TC Vu T Asaeda Y Ashie (1999) ArticleTitleDevelopment of a numerical model for the evaluation of the urban thermal environment. J Wind Engineering 81 181–196

    Google Scholar 

  • TC Vu Y Ashie T Asaeda (2002) ArticleTitleA k-ɛ turbulence closure model for the atmospheric boundary layer including urban canopy. Bound-Layer Meteor 102 459–490

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques, Toulouse, France

    V. Masson

Authors
  1. V. Masson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Masson, V. Urban surface modeling and the meso-scale impact of cities. Theor. Appl. Climatol. 84, 35–45 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-005-0142-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-005-0142-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation