Evaluating the heat island effect in a planned residential area using planning indicators

Through determination of planning indicators (building density, floor area ratio, green coverage ratio, etc.) in urban planning preparation, it can control the intensity of urban development and formation of urban thermal environment after implementation of the planning proposal. Understanding of the relationship between urban planning indicators and thermal environment formation makes it possible to consider the thermal environment in more detail at the planning stage, and optimize the urban planning proposal in mitigation of urban heat island effect (UHI). The primary aim of this study is to propose an analytical method for quantifying UHI in a planned urban area based on planning indicators. This study used an index called heat island potential (HIP) to evaluate UHI in an urban area, and theoretically confirmed that the total daily cumulative HIP for an urban area can be calculated using the daily cumulative HIP for all sub-areas and coverage ratios of land covers (building, pavement, trees, etc.) in the urban area. The sub-areas can be classified to two types: one with buildings, and another without buildings. The daily cumulative HIP for a sub-area with and without buildings can be estimated with regression equations in which planning indicators are variables. This paper presented how to obtain the regression equations for estimating the total daily cumulative HIP in a residential area through a case study in Nanning which is located in the south of China.

Automated summary

By determining planning indicators in urban planning, the intensity of urban development and formation of urban thermal environment can be controlled, mitigating the urban heat island effect. This study proposes an analytical method for quantifying UHI in a planned urban area using regression equations to estimate heat island potential in different types of sub-areas.