Standardizing thermal contrast among local climate zones at a continental scale: Implications for cool neighborhoods. (15th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Xuan; Yang, Jiachuan; Ren, Chao; Jeong, Sujong; Shi, Yuan
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 197(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-15
• Subjects: Local climate zone -- Microclimate -- Seasonal thermal contrast -- Urban heat island; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: The Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classification system provides a standardized framework to differentiate neighborhoods for intra-city heat island studies. Yet the thermal contrast of air temperatures over different LCZs has not been examined at a continental scale. Using ground-based meteorological observations in 2016, here we investigated the seasonal thermal behaviors of various LCZs over China. Measured air temperatures over studied LCZs are found to have strong relations with latitude, altitude, and the distance to coastline. Thermal contrasts reduce to less than 1 °C in all seasons after removing the signal of background mean air temperature determined by geographical conditions. Despite the air temperature variation within individual LCZs, results reveal consistent characteristic air temperature regimes of LCZs exist at a continental scale. The warmth of built type LCZs is more evident at night, with an annual mean air temperature difference of 0.51 °C compared to the low plant LCZ. Among the studied LCZs, compact mid-rise neighborhoods have consistently high air temperatures throughout the year. Comparative analysis suggests that open high-rise neighborhoods are preferred over compact mid-rise and low-rise neighborhoods for sustainable city development. Our results provide useful guidance for landscape design and planning to create cool cities and neighborhoods. Highlights: Seasonal thermal contrast of air temperatures over LCZs is examined at the continental scale The impact of local landscape does not change with geographical conditions Air temperature regime has a large variability due to the LCZ classification scheme Annual mean air temperature is 0.51 °C higher in built type LCZs than in LCZ D