Effect of urban structure on land surface temperature around elementary schools in Hangzhou based on local climate zones

Changes in land surface temperature (LST) caused by the diversification of urban structures have garnered widespread attention. Elementary school students, the largest group receiving education, are particularly vulnerable. However, few studies have investigated how such changes manifest around elementary schools where students are concentrated. Herein, the urban structure of Hangzhou was identified with the help of local climate zones (LCZs) based on remote sensing to analyze the land use/land cover characteristics around 458 elementary schools. Moreover, a random forest regression model was employed to explore the relation between LCZs and seasonal LST around elementary schools and the relative importance of LCZs. Results indicate the following: (1) The land use intensity and LST around elementary schools were higher. (2) The LST of different LCZs exhibited significant seasonal differences. (3) A nonlinear relationship existed between LCZs and LST around elementary schools, of which compact midrise, open high-rise, dense trees, scattered trees and water were the five most relevant types. (4) The LST around elementary schools was closely related to the urban morphology of artificial surfaces, in which building density was the dominant factor. These findings provide valuable references for land use planning in the surrounding areas of elementary schools.