Abstract The relationship between the sky view factor (SVF) and the urban heat island (UHI) effect in Montreal is explored, by assessing the effect of SVF on air temperature ( T a ) and mean radiant temperature (MRT). The amount of energy consumed by indoor heating and air conditioning is affected by T a . The value of MRT is the sum of all short-wave and long-wave radiation fluxes absorbed by the human body that affects its energy balance and human thermal comfort. SVF in urban areas affects both T a and MRT. We used a microscale urban climate model (ENVI-met) and simulated the effect of building geometry in four typical urban districts (each 300×300 m 2 in size) in Montreal, on air and human weighted mean radiant temperature (MRT human weighted ) at 1.5-m height above the ground. Urban development consideration of a low SVF could mitigate the UHI effect, by decreasing urban temperatures and increasing outdoor thermal comfort. Most UHI studies are carried out for cities in hot and dry climates; however, UHI mitigation can also reduce energy consumption in colder cities, such as Montreal. Results of this analysis can be used in environmental urban planning standards.