Assessing the relationship between anthropogenic heat release warming and building characteristics in Guangzhou: A sustainable development perspective

Abstract

We assessed the spatial heterogeneity of warming due to total anthropogenic heat release (AHR) and building anthropogenic heat release under different heat release scenarios and its relationship with building properties in the highly urbanized portion of Guangzhou using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The simulation results show that different AHR scenarios result in different temperature rise outcomes. A rise of 0.40 °C and 0.23 °C results from a normal total AHR scenario and normal building AHR scenario, while a rise of 0.71 °C and 0.41 °C arises when total AHR and building AHR is doubled. This indicates that more anthropogenic heat results in a more serious warming effect. Moreover, the spatial heterogeneity of the AHR-caused temperature rise is affected by the building area. The AHR-derived warming effect is most serious in high-height-medium-density (H-M) and high-height-high-density (H-H) building areas, where temperature rose by 0.36 °C and 0.34 °C due to building AHR under two AHR scenarios, while it was least serious in low-height-high-density (L-H) and high-height-low-density (H-L) areas, where temperature rose by 16 °C and 0.25 °C under two building AHR scenarios. When AHR is doubled, the hot spot of AHR-derived warming tends to become more concentrated. The quantitative relationship between building AHR-derived warming and building property data was assessed using a multiple linear regression model. The model shows that the combination of building height and building density provides better predictor of building AHR warming than either property alone; and the relationship is best predicted in L-H and H-L areas, with R2 values of 0.68 and 0.79, respectively. Warming due to AHR should be considered as one of the most serious urban warming forces and the land surface properties are the key factors that influence AHR-derived warming. This study provides evidence for the significance of AHR in the urban environment and offers suggestions for mitigating urban thermal heating.