palm_csd 25.10: a processing tool for static input data in the PALM model system

Abstract. We present palm_csd version 25.10, the current default preprocessing tool for generating the static driver for the building-resolving large-eddy simulation model PALM. The static driver defines the spatial surface characteristics of the simulation domain. This paper provides a technical description of the updated palm_csd workflow, focusing on the processing of buildings, vegetation, pavement, water bodies, terrain height and land cover in compliance with the PALM Input Data Standard (PIDS). Major extensions introduced since the previous description include the processing of georeferenced raster and vector data with automated reprojection, user-defined domain rotation and nesting, enhanced handling of building parameters, optimized generation of resolved vegetation, estimation of leaf area index from vegetation height, and the derivation of static input for non-building-resolving simulations based on Local Climate Zone classifications. We demonstrate the application of palm_csd using publicly available geodata for the city of Berlin (Germany), covering both building-resolving and LCZ-based simulation setups. Common data inconsistencies and sources of uncertainty in urban geodata are discussed. palm_csd 25.10 provides a reproducible, flexible and continuously maintained framework for transforming heterogeneous geospatial datasets into PALM-compatible static drivers to support both detailed urban morphology and coarser-scale urban climate applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geoscientific model development
Published
2026-06-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5515-2026
Primary Topic
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

palm_csd 25.10: a processing tool for static input data in the PALM model system

Mohamed Salim, Julian Anders, Björn Maronga, Sebastian Schubert et al.
Geoscientific model development
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
article

palm_csd 25.10: a processing tool for static input data in the PALM model system

Mohamed Salim, Julian Anders, Björn Maronga, Sebastian Schubert, Tobias Gronemeier
article en

Abstract

Abstract. We present palm_csd version 25.10, the current default preprocessing tool for generating the static driver for the building-resolving large-eddy simulation model PALM. The static driver defines the spatial surface characteristics of the simulation domain. This paper provides a technical description of the updated palm_csd workflow, focusing on the processing of buildings, vegetation, pavement, water bodies, terrain height and land cover in compliance with the PALM Input Data Standard (PIDS). Major extensions introduced since the previous description include the processing of georeferenced raster and vector data with automated reprojection, user-defined domain rotation and nesting, enhanced handling of building parameters, optimized generation of resolved vegetation, estimation of leaf area index from vegetation height, and the derivation of static input for non-building-resolving simulations based on Local Climate Zone classifications. We demonstrate the application of palm_csd using publicly available geodata for the city of Berlin (Germany), covering both building-resolving and LCZ-based simulation setups. Common data inconsistencies and sources of uncertainty in urban geodata are discussed. palm_csd 25.10 provides a reproducible, flexible and continuously maintained framework for transforming heterogeneous geospatial datasets into PALM-compatible static drivers to support both detailed urban morphology and coarser-scale urban climate applications.

Geoscientific model developmentVol. 19(12)
Leibniz University Hannover (DE), Forschungszentrum Energiespeichertechnologien (DE), Technische Universität Berlin (DE), Aswan University (EG)
Bundesministerium für Verkehr und Digitale Infrastruktur, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
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