Analysis of Local Climate Zones of Kyiv City

Abstract

According to the WUDAPT protocol which is based on the concept of local climate (LCZ) zones T. Oke and I. Stewart the territory of Kyiv was analyzed and was highlighted by the LСZ in the administrative boundaries of the city and within the built-up area (BUA). A map of the local climate zones of the city has been created. The existence of significant differences in the ratio between LCZs within the administrative boundaries of the city and within the BUA is disclosed. It is shown that the areas of LСZ with built-up territories (LСZ-1 – LСZ-9) cover about 40% within the administrative boundaries of Kyiv and over 65 % in BUA, and green areas (LСZ-A, B, C, and D) and water bodies (LСZ-G) cover 32,6 % within the BUA, which is almost twice less than within the administrative boundaries of the city (59,0 %). The LCZ-A are characterized by the biggest differences (dense trees) – within the administrative boundaries of Kyiv it accounts for 32,6 % of the territory, and within the BUA it accounts only 6,7 %. Thus, it is shown that within the territories where the citizens live and work (BUA) about 2/3 of the area is built-up areas with man-made surfaces which are characterized by a much lower albedo (compared to natural) and low water permeability, and accordingly, they are favorable for the formation of microclimatic features. The obtained results are very important for the study of microclimatic conditions and climate of Kyiv, assessment of the thermal comfort conditions of the urban environment, development of measures of adaptation the city to heat, and for solving a number of other practical problems.