| 04 Mar 2026
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.
Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Geoscientific Model Development.
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