Impact of urban morphology on the microclimate around elementary schools: A case study from Japan

Abstract

Urban morphology plays an increasingly important role in changes in the urban microclimate. However, few studies have focused on how such changes are exhibited in areas surrounding elementary schools. This research selected 12 elementary schools in a highly urbanized area as research objects. According to the land use/land cover data, all areas were divided into four categories: commercial districts, high green areas, middle and low-rise residences, and public places. Based on field measurements and ENVI-met simulations, this study attempted to clarify the impact of urban morphology on the microclimate around elementary schools. The results indicated the following: (1) The measured air temperature trends of schools in the same category were the same throughout the day, and there were significant differences between different categories. (2) The building density, floor area ratio, green plot ratio, impervious ground surface fraction, and sky view factor were important urban morphology parameters that affected the microclimate around the elementary school. (3) Building shadow reduced the air temperature, such as the courtyard of a teaching building, and the surface material, vegetation, and land height had an influence on the air temperature. (4) The greater the building density in the studied area, the lower the overall wind speed, and street orientation, dense trees, and land height affected air circulation, and the wind path around the school played a role in optimizing the school wind environment. This research helps urban planners understand the environmental design around schools with the improvement of microclimates.