Multi-city Comparison of Land Surface Temperature Responses to Local Climate Zones in Three Major Chinese Cities, China

The local climate zone (LCZ) has been widely employed to explore the effects of urban morphology on urban climate to mitigate negative impacts from heatwaves. However, comparative studies on the relationships between LCZ and land surface temperature (LST) across cities with different urban forms and climatic backgrounds remain limited. This research selected Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an, China, as study areas to compare LST responses to LCZ. The results show: 1) The modified Geographic Information System (GIS)-based LCZ mapping method achieved higher classification accuracy than the World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools (WUDAPT)-based remote sensing approach. For example, in Shanghai, the overall accuracy was 81.3% for GIS-based mapping, compared with 80.0% for WUDAPT. The resulting LCZ maps indicated similar spatial patterns in Beijing and Xi’an, with compact low-rise buildings (LCZ 3) concentrated in the urban cores and natural LCZ types (LCZ A and LCZ B) mainly distributed in the peripheral areas. 2) Pronounced LST differences were observed among LCZ types. Overall, Beijing and Xi’an exhibited larger inter-LCZ LST differences (6.82°C and 6.01°C, respectively) than Shanghai (4.41°C). Considerable LST variations were also observed within the same LCZ type, indicating that differences in urban composition within the same LCZ also influence LST. 3) The relationships between urban morphology metrics and LST varied among LCZ types and cities. Vegetation coverage ratio (VCR) showed the strongest negative correlation with LST in Beijing and Xi’an, whereas pervious surface coverage ratio (PCR) showed a stronger negative correlation with LST than VCR in Shanghai. In addition, the same increase in warming composition coverage ratio (WCCR) produced a greater increase in LST in sparse LCZs than in compact and open LCZs in Xi’an. 4) Similar patterns were observed in the effects of urban metrics on LST. Typically, increasing vegetation generated a stronger cooling effect than reducing the same area of buildings. Building height exhibited a notable cooling effect through shading, highlighting its importance for urban design. These findings provide a scientific basis for future urban planning or decision-making.