Relationship between LCZ and physical activity in residential areas: A mediating role of perceptions of heat risks in climate change

Climate change has escalated heat risks in urban areas, which caused complex impacts on physical activity and an urgent need for better urban environments. Psychological knowledge helps explain the relationship between urban environment and physical activity levels (PA). Utilizing perceptions of heat risks in climate change (PHR) as the intermediary, the research explored the relationships between the local climate zone classifications (LCZs) of residential areas and the PA of the residents. Data on LCZs, PHR, and PA were collected through questionnaire surveys and remote sensing analysis, with mediation analysis, utilizing the Bootstrap method, applied to test whether PHR mediated these relationships. Results indicate that LCZs significantly affect PHR. Moreover, PHR could modulate residents' PA, with higher “Affective response” correlating with decreased sedentary duration, while higher “Self-efficacy” and “Cognizance” were linked to increased walking duration. Notably, only “Adaptation intentions” appeared to sway the metabolic equivalent. Additionally, LCZs could affect PA indirectly through the mediating influence of PHR. However, some PHR indicators might mitigate some of the direct impacts of LCZs on PA and attenuate the connection between them. This research reveals psychological mechanisms linking urban environments to PA under climate change, informing urban climate governance and healthy city planning.