Urban Building Energy Modelling and Generative Design - an integration for energy-optimized urban design: a systematic review

Global warming is having a significant impact on urban living conditions and putting pressure on finite resources. The built environment, particularly in urban areas, is a major contributor to this problem, highlighting the need for sustainable urban design solutions supported through effective building energy modelling. The research investigates an integrative approach using Urban Building Energy Modelling (UBEM) and Generative Design (GD) to reduce urban energy demand through a systematic literature review. The review was conducted to evaluate the current state of UBEM frameworks that incorporate parametric or GD models for energy-efficient design exploration. It analyses the technical aspects of this integration, including computational tools, data input, and machine learning (ML) algorithms. It also aims to highlight the use of surrogate models where ML models are trained using energy simulation output data.