The effect of building surface cool and super cool materials on microclimate in typical residential neighborhoods in Nanjing

•The effect of cool and super cool materials on urban ventilation was investigated.•The cooling effect of these materials on building surface temperature was analyzed.•The highest reduction in roof temperature is 13.4 °C for super cool materials.•The cool and super cool materials have no cooling effect at 16:00 in winter.•The cool materials have less than 6% impact on neighborhood ventilation.