Thermal amplification by large-footprint buildings in cold-climate cities: Implications for urban heat mitigation

Source abstract

Large-footprint, low-rise buildings are reshaping the thermal dynamics of Arctic and sub-Arctic cities, yet their contribution to urban heat extremes is under-quantified. This study systematically evaluates the thermal impact of Local Climate Zone 8 (LCZ 8) structures in Fairbanks (USA), Tromsø (Norway), and Nadym (Russia), cities selected for their contrasting urban morphologies and similar high-latitude climates. Leveraging Landsat Thermal Infrared imagery, refined OpenStreetMap building footprints, and advanced GIS-based spatial analysis, we show that expansive low-rise buildings (>10,000 m²) consistently act as localized thermal hotspots, with summer land surface temperatures up to 4 °C greater than the surrounding urban fabric. These anomalies are driven by large impervious surfaces, flat roofs, and limited vegetation, which together amplify solar absorption and thermal inertia. The findings challenge classic urban heat island assumptions, revealing that horizontal building scale is a critical—yet often overlooked—factor in cold-climate urban thermal behavior. Reflective surfaces, permeable pavements, and functional greening are proposed as targeted interventions to mitigate overheating risks in LCZ 8 zones.@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}p.my-2, li.my-2, div.my-2 {mso-style-name:my-2; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}