Noorshat Chowdhury

Sustainable urban development must carefully evaluate high-rise structures' environmental effects on precious urban green spaces. This study focuses on the Aura Tower's construction near Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and its shadowing of a notable American elm (Ulmus americana) growing in TMU’s iconic Quad. By leveraging pre- and post-construction 3D massing data, a shadow impact analysis with ArcGIS Pro was performed on 21 June 2023 (maximum daylight). The modelling of incident solar radiation at ground level and the elm's mid-crown height revealed alterations in the tree’s sunlight exposure, potentially influencing its growth and overall health. While not the primary focus, results reveal reduced solar radiation exposure across The Quad’s vegetation community following the skyscraper's construction. These findings highlight the importance of integrating shadow impacts on urban vegetation into the architectural design stage. Coupling building shadow analysis with knowledge of surrounding vegetation light requirements will better support trees in urban green spaces.
Keywords: American Elm (Ulmus americana), Solar Radiation, Shadow Impact Analysis, GIS, 3D Massing Data, Urban Planning, Environmental Impact