Comparative Study of the Urban Texture Morphology of Birjand for Energy Efficiency

Energy consumption of buildings and the resulting environmental pollution are affected by city morphology. Most studies conducted on urban planning and energy efficiency have investigated urban energy consumption in micro-(construction) and macro-scales (transportation, network, and infrastructure management). Focusing on the gap between these two scales, i.e., the mid-scale (urban texture), and considering it in the design process of residential complexes and urban textures can greatly help improve the energy efficiency of the construction sector. In this study, Birjand, which is located in a desert region with a high summer temperature intensity and low-temperature extremes in winter, was selected for the case study. Because this study investigates energy consumption and urban morphology, each with its special method of study, the mixed method was used for this research. In the urban morphology section, the typo-morphology approach was used wherein aerial images were examined to identify the times and places of transformation in the city texture. In the energy section, 100×100 m2 study units were selected from the urban texture and their energy consumption was simulated by Honeybee software. Finally, the descriptive-analytical method was used to measure their relationship. According to the findings, the morphology of the newer textures demonstrates better energy efficiency compared to that of the older textures. In addition, the optimal form of buildings in terms of energy demand is that with the lowest surface-to-volume ratio and an optimal orientation and length-to-depth ratio.