Measuring the relationships between various urban green spaces and local climate zones

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGS) improve living conditions in cities by mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect. While the cooling effect of UGS seems unequivocal, the relationship between the types of UGS and types of residential areas has not yet been well explored. In this study, we systematically analysed the cooling effect of 71 UGS in Prague, a central European city, on residential areas within 400 m of the UGS. The UGS are classified according to their spatial characteristics (size, shape, and tree density), and the residential areas according to three Local Climate Zones (LCZ 2, 5, 6) typical for European cities. The cooling effect is evaluated using a regression model of the Land Surface Temperature (LST) in residential zones according to the LCZ type and distance from the various UGS. The results show that compact UGS of 10–25 ha with dense trees have the most pronounced cooling effect. This type of UGS was associated with a mean decrease in LST within 400 m of 2.3 °C compared to the least effective UGS type (long with sparse trees) across LCZs. The results of the presented study can be applied in urban planning and urban design to improve microclimates in cities.

Comparing the Effects of Green and Blue Bodies and Urban Morphology on Land Surface Temperatures Close to Rivers and Large Lakes

“…This has two implications. Firstly, the efficiency of the cooling effect increases with the size and density of green bodies [2,15,17]. Our results show large semi-dense green bodies to have the highest cooling effect in Prague, adding that the connectivity of greenery may be another supporting factor of the cooling effectiveness and, at the same time, bring additional ecological benefits [44].…”

“…Nevertheless, these zones do not fully correspond with the morphology of the city. Therefore, further research may focus on the influence of the factors on local climate zones [52], which better reflect the morphology and are currently widely used [17], to allow for a broader comparison of results.…”

“…Land 2024, 13, 162 2 of 16 Currently, attention towards the contribution of nature-based solutions to address UHI challenges is growing, introducing green and blue infrastructure in nationwide and urban climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies [13,14]. Although many studies have reported the cooling effect of green and blue urban bodies [4,[15][16][17], the magnitude of the effect of blue bodies remains relatively unclear [18,19]. In addition, the strategies must be based on local climate conditions [3] and specific urban morphology [1] to be effective.…”

Urban Green Spaces in Africa: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Some authors argue that UGS should be classified as sensitive areas in urban spaces, deserving protection from pollution sources to enhance their environmental and social functions [22]. UGS help to clean the air, regulate microclimates [23][24][25][26], reduce noise pollution, purify water, control erosion, and prevent floods. They also have the potential to significantly contribute to food security through urban agriculture [27][28][29].…”