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Bio-receptive façade panels that support the natural growth of mosses, micro-organisms, and small plant species are potential alternatives than traditional green walls. Supporting the moss's development naturally could offer great potential for achieving ecologically richer, healthier, and zero-carbon cities. In particular, a limited amount of hydration is required for mosses to grow on these bio-receptive surfaces, which is ideal for the hot, humid environment of north Egypt. This review paper is aimed at identifying the feasibility and influencing factors of implementing such a façade innovation in a hot, humid climate as north Egypt. To investigate this feasibility, first, it is essential to compare the critical factors for moss growth with the target environmental conditions. These key feasibility factors for the approach were classified as environmental and physical growth factors. Second, a field study was undertaken to confirm the availability of such moss resources in north Egypt since the climatic conditions correspond to the acceptable range necessary for its application of the approach. This study resulted in promising families of mosses being available, in which great potential for the use of bio-receptive concrete with a cover of moss to expand the green areas vertically is expected. Especially, this green expansion will be with moss, which blooms randomly in the natural environment. This technique may bring additional advantages by generating new sustainable materials from low-cost and readily available resources. It is considered to be an approach to enhance greening and reduce urban environment's susceptibility to climate change without requiring extensive irrigation and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different neighborhood forms can create inter-neighborhood microclimate variability. • Local-specific characteristics affect microclimate differently across neighborhood area. • Influence of local-specific characteristics on microclimate vary across seasons. • Vegetation is more important in regulating microclimate in shallower than deeper canyon. Although neighborhood is the level where most local plans are realized, little research has been done to understand how neighborhood spatial characteristics can shape its microclimate. This study aims to understand the effect of neighborhood form on its microclimate in a hot arid city, in Egypt. Two neighborhoods with different layouts are selected- a low-density historic area and a modern high-density area. Each neighborhood form was analyzed according to seven spatial characteristics: aspect ratio, street orientation, street trees, green spaces, percentage of tree canopy and impervious surfaces at 20m radii, and sky view factor. Microclimate data was collected using mobile field measurements in summer and winter. In total air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed at 44 sites were measured. The statistical and spatial analysis reveal inter-neighborhood microclimate variation which is more observed in winter than in summer. Moreover, the local-specific spatial characteristics within each neighborhood have resulted in a variation in the microclimate across the neighborhoods. The study also found a seasonal effect on the overall microclimate and on the way local-specific characteristics influence the microclimate. Findings of this research can have implications for future (re)development and planning of climate resilient neighborhoods, in a hot arid context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combined effects of GR on indoor thermal comfort and PV efficiency are analyzed. • GR soil could reduce maximum indoor air temperature by 10.75 % °C for clay soil. • Medium PV height and high coverage improved average daytime IAT by 3.30%, 3.93%. • PV electricity output increased by 2.27% due to the cooling effect of GR. • PV/GR system saved cooling energy by 19.12 % (59.56 Kg of CO 2 /m 2) yearly in summer. Numerous research has included passive cooling techniques and renewable energy-generating technologies to enhance the near-zero energy community. This study aims to evaluate the impact of various Green Roof (GR) parameters on photovoltaic performance, indoor thermal comfort, cooling energy savings, and CO2 emissions. The study focuses on the effect of parameters such as soil type, soil depth, irrigation, vegetation layer, PV height, and PV coverage ratio on the performance of a green roof compared to a traditional bare roof in a hot steppe arid region in Egypt. Two calibrated small-scale rooms were built and tested with eleven different scenarios to determine the improvement in indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and photovoltaic electricity output. The results showed that GRs made with clay, sandy soil, and vegetation reduced maximum indoor air temperature during the daytime by up to 10.75 %, 7.80 % and 9.09 %, respectively. Increasing soil depth and PV coverage ratio further improved maximum indoor air temperature reduction up to 11.85 % and 9.6 %, respectively. The photovoltaic electricity output was increased by up to 2.27 % compared to the traditional bare roof. The study also found that green roofs with photovoltaic systems reduced cooling energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 19.12 % and 59.56 kg/m2 annually, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]