Classifying urban climate zones (UCZs) based on statistical analyses

The objective of this study is the classification of urban climate zones (UCZs) based on statistical approaches, to provide key information for the establishment of spatial planning in order to create pleasant thermal environments in urban spaces. There are four parts in this paper: First, analysis was conducted of time points for summer and winter to classify UCZs in Seoul, South Korea. The air temperatures of these points were then analyzed using data of 246 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). Second, information of urban spatial elements was selected based on literature review. Third, to classify urban climate zones influential urban spatial elements were identified using step-wise regression analysis between air temperature and urban spatial elements. Finally, the UCZs of the study area were classified by applying K-mean clustering analysis, and each spatial characteristic of the UCZs was identified. Based on the statistical analysis results, this study delineated clearer UCZs boundaries by applying influential urban spatial elements. These results offer integrated information of urban climate principles that can be utilized by urban planners, architects, and landscape planners. The outcomes can also be applied to spatial planning to reduce the negative effects of heat islands in summer and winter as well.