Research on Optimal Cooling Landscape Combination and Configuration Based on Local Climate Zones—Fuzhou, China

Abstract

The deterioration of the urban thermal environment has seriously affected the quality of life of urban residents, and studying the optimal cooling landscape combination and configuration based on local climate zones (LCZs) is crucial for mitigating the thermal environment. In this study, the LCZ system was combined to analyze the spatial and temporal changes to the thermal environment in the central area of Fuzhou, and the 159 blocks in the core area were selected to derive the optimal LCZ combination and configuration. The conclusions are as follows: (1) From 2013 to 2021, the building layout of the study area became more open and the building height gradually increased. The high-temperature areas were mainly clustered in the core area; (2) The LSTs for low-rise buildings (LCZ 3 (41.67 °C), LCZ 7 (40.10 °C), LCZ 8 (42.61 °C), and LCZ 10 (41.85 °C)) were higher than the LSTs for high-rise buildings (LCZ 1 (38.58 °C) and LCZ 4 (38.50 °C)); (3) The thermal contribution index for low building types was higher for dense buildings (LCZ 3 (0.4331), LCZ 8 (0.3149), and LCZ 10 (0.2325)) than for open buildings (LCZ 6 (0.0247) and LCZ 9 (0.0317)); (4) Blocks with an average LST of 36 °C had the most cost-effective cooling, and the combination and configuration of LCZs within such blocks were optimal. Our results can be used to better guide urban planners in managing LCZ combinations and configurations within blocks (the smallest planning unit) at an earlier phase of thermal environment design, and for appropriately adapting existing block layouts, providing a new perspective on urban thermal environment research with important implications for climate-friendly city and neighborhood planning.