Development of representative city region models for south China’s Pearl River Delta: Data statistics and model definition

Abstract

Urban energy planning is essential for sustainable city development, especially with the rising energy demand driven by dense urbanization and increased reliance on renewable energy systems. This study proposes a methodology for defining representative city regions for energy planning by analyzing building morphology and energy consumption patterns in Shenzhen, China. Residential and commercial regions were identified using a combination of Point of Interest (POI) analysis and morphological clustering based on building coverage ratio, floor area ratio, and average building height. Representative regions were then populated with simplified building models to simulate energy demand, accounting for spatial distribution and inter-shading effects. The results reveal distinct energy consumption patterns between residential and commercial regions, with compact commercial areas exhibiting significantly higher cooling energy demand, particularly during peak summer months. These findings highlight the importance of considering urban morphology and building usage in regional energy planning to optimize energy production and distribution. The methodology and insights derived from this study provide a scalable framework for improving the efficiency and sustainability of urban energy systems.