  Regulations corroborate the importance of retrofitting existing building
stocks or constructing new energy efficient district. There is, thus, a need
for modeling tools to evaluate energy scenarios to better manage and design
cities, and numerous methodologies and tools have been developed. Among them,
Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM) tools allow the energy simulation of
buildings at large scales. Choosing an appropriate UBEM tool, balancing the
level of complexity, accuracy, usability, and computing needs, remains a
challenge for users. The review focuses on the main bottom-up physics-based
UBEM tools, comparing them from a user-oriented perspective. Five categories
are used: (i) the required inputs, (ii) the reported outputs, (iii) the
exploited workflow, (iv) the applicability of each tool, and (v) the potential
users. Moreover, a critical discussion is proposed focusing on interests and
trends in research and development. The results highlighted major differences
between UBEM tools that must be considered to choose the proper one for an
application. Barriers of adoption of UBEM tools include the needs of a
standardized ontology, a common three dimensional city model, a standard
procedure to collect data, and a standard set of test cases. This feeds into
future development of UBEM tools to support cities' sustainability goals.
