Abstract
Parametric modelling, building performance simulation, and optimization have advanced the design of Net-Zero Energy (NZE) buildings. Scaling these approaches to precincts, however, poses challenges in tropical cities where interbuilding shadowing complicate cooling demand. This study develops a methodology to evaluate NZE residential precincts in Singapore using a 4.6-hectare test site and a two-phase simulation process: Phase 1 optimizes precincts on a representative day, and Phase 2 evaluates the annual performance of the optimal solutions. Results show that precincts with a gross plot ratio of 2.5-2.9 achieve net-zero or near-zero energy balance. Annual simulations indicate that ∼1,100-1,300 dwelling units with ∼48,000-57,000 m
2
of solar panels (∼6.6 kWp/unit) can generate a 15% energy surplus, enabling seven precincts to power an eighth. These findings provide a performance-driven framework for NZE precinct planning in tropical climates, offering actionable insights for researchers, designers, and policymakers to support urban decarbonization..