Categorisation of urban open spaces for heat adaptation: A cluster based approach

• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111861
• Publication Date: 2024-07-20T15:42:24Z
• Authors: Ane Villaverde; Irantzu Álvarez; Eduardo Rojí; Leire Garmendia
• Keywords: Adaptive capacity; Urban Heat Island

In the context of climate change, adapting a city's open spaces to heat waves and extreme is crucial for mitigating Urban Heat Island effect ensuring wellbeing its inhabitants. However, adaptation potential varies within city. This study develops an objective replicable method categorise urban areas based on their spaces' adaptive capacity improvement at micro-scale. achieved using clustering approach, eliminating manual operations, openly available data, employing indicators suitable every fabric type, block as analysis unit. The validation in case Bilbao (Spain) demonstrates obtain meaningful insights regarding space potential. An resulting categories reveals significant throughout city varying that depends density. Categories with lowest have median ratios between 0.35 0.65 tree cover 0.07 0.15. Those highest present 0.8 1 0.05 0.25. can aid local policymakers identifying opportunity spots hosting solutions understanding challenges may face planning action. method's replicability enables it be applied other cities, contributing broader exploration change