Optimizing cooling efficiency of urban greenspaces across local climate zones in Wuhan, China

In the context of rapid urbanization and global warming, the strategic design and allocation of urban greenspaces are crucial for enhancing cooling efficiency and optimizing land use. However, current studies often lack specific guidance on tailoring urban greenspace to different built environmental contexts and vegetation types. This study addresses this gap by examining the cooling efficiency and optimal Threshold Value of Efficiency (TVoE) of various vegetation types across diverse urban environments in Wuhan, China, using the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) scheme and multi-source remote sensing data collected during the summer of 2020. The research reveals that Land Surface Temperature (LST) is highest in compact LCZs, particularly in LCZ 3. Moreover, the study identifies distinct TVoE values for different vegetation types, with city-scale TVoEs generally exceeding those at the intraurban (LCZ) level. The findings also highlight that compact LCZs, especially LCZ 3 and LCZ 2, have higher TVoEs across all vegetation types, with trees proving to be more cost-efficient in cooling mid- and high-rise areas, while grass performs better in low-rise zones. This study underscores the necessity of adopting context- and typespecific strategies in urban greening efforts to mitigate urban heat. By applying the globally standardized LCZ scheme, this study offers a scalable approach to optimize urban greenspace for enhanced thermal management and urban sustainability for global cities.