Advances in urban mapping of local climate zones for heat mitigation: A systematic review

Local Climate Zones (LCZ) classification is an essential tool in addressing the environmental impacts of urbanization, particularly in mitigating Urban Heat Islands (UHI) and managing temperature variations. A systematic review was conducted using PSALSAR methodology, analyzing 126 publications from Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2018 to 2023. Recent advances in LCZ research were evaluated, with a focus on the increasing use of remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for landscape classification. The findings indicate that key urban geometry parameters, such as the Sky View Factor (SVF) and Height of Roughness Elements (HRE), are crucial for analyzing solar radiation and temperature control. The review highlights that 17.64 % of the studies are concentrated in high-income countries, underscoring the need for more representation from Latin American cities and other emerging economies. Despite data limitations, 15.68 % of the studies analyzed imperviousness and permeability. Research gaps in underrepresented regions emphasize the necessity of incorporating additional parameters such as Proportion of Woodland and Grass (PWG), Fraction of Vegetation Coverage (FVC), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Built-up Area (BA), Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and Normalized Difference Building Index (NDBI) to enhance the LCZ classification framework. This research emphasizes the significant role of remote sensing and GIS in improving accuracy in local scale UHI studies. Integrating LCZ mapping into urban planning is essential for managing landscape heterogeneity and fostering sustainable development. Expanding access to open urban datasets and adopting innovative digital methods will further advance LCZ research globally.