Yuanbin Cai

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.

Under accelerated urbanization and high-intensity human activities, the natural wetlands distribution area (NWDA) in Minjiang River estuary faces the great challenge of a deteriorative urban thermal environment. This work aims to analyze the impact of land use/land cover (LULC) on the urban thermal environment and model wetland surface temperature disturbance characteristics during the process of urbanization. The study utilized the following methodological steps: (1) mapping of LULC spatial and temporal distribution through photo interpretation; (2) applying the mono-window algorithm to obtain the spatiotemporal patterns of land surface temperature (LST); (3) examining the correlation between LST and different LULC classes, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference moisture index (NDMI), and normalized difference impervious surface index (NDISI); and (4) exploring wetland surface temperature characteristics based on profile analysis and regression models. The results showed that the LST pattern depended on the LULC distribution; the high LST zones were mainly observed in the center of Fuzhou city, and the low LST zones were mainly observed in forest and river areas. Moreover, the urban thermal environment was influenced by both LULC classes and urban growth types. Finally, the positive relationship between LST and NDISI indicated an amplifying effect of the impervious surface for wetland surface temperature, while vegetation with high liquid water attenuated the regional high temperature. The obtained conclusions are expected to be beneficial in improving the design and management of the urban thermal environment. Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, 350108 Fuzhou, China