Optimizing urban open space morphology for enhanced cooling and ventilation performance

Urban open spaces serve as critical elements of blue-green infrastructure and urban wind corridors, offering dual benefits in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect and enhancing ventilation. This study aims to investigate the dual impacts of urban open space morphology on both UHI mitigation and ventilation enhancement. Taking Xishan District in Wuxi City, China as a case study, open spaces are classified into seven categories by using Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) method and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The linear and non-linear correlations between various open space patterns and UHI are explored by Python and machine learning. CFD simulations are conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of optimized open space layouts on wind environments.

The results indicate that increasing Core and Bridge patterns in open spaces positively impacts the mitigation of UHI, while Islet patterns exacerbate it. Wedge and ribbon layouts of open spaces aligned with summer prevailing winds enhance ventilation, whereas ring and mesh layouts hinder airflow. The findings propose actionable strategies for optimizing open space configurations to balance thermal and aerodynamic performance, providing empirical insights for climate-resilient urban planning.

This study explored the relationship between urban open space morphology and UHI through spatial data analysis and simulations. This can provide empirical evidence and practical solutions for urban planning and design, contributing significantly to enhancing urban resilience and addressing climate change challenges.