Assessing the Impact of Urban Morphology on Land Surface Temperature Around Elementary Schools

Abstract

This study investigates how urban morphological features influence land surface temperature (LST) in the surroundings of elementary schools using GIS tools. It also aims to compare LST with air temperature data recorded around these schools. The analysis focuses on spatial patterns, emphasizing the classification of schools according to their exposure to urban overheating risk. Using a 500-meter buffer around the elementary schools, key morphological indicators—such as building density, average height, vegetation cover, and land cover distribution—are extracted and compared with LST values derived from satellite imagery in order to identify the most relevant parameters. Schools will be ranked and grouped based on their thermal and morphological characteristics to identify the most critical cases. This approach supports microclimate-sensitive planning and offers practical insights for identifying the elementary schools most vulnerable to urban overheating.