Search

Pseudo-human settlements (PHS) reflect the subjective wishes and needs of residents. An in-depth characterization of PHS aids in clarifying the actual development needs and future development directions of the city from the residents' perspective. China is currently undergoing high-speed urbanization and advocates improving the quality of cities. It is particularly important to test the achievements of urbanization through PHS. This study quantitatively analyses spatiotemporal characteristics and the realistic driving mechanism of PHS in 286 Chinese cities through spatial autocorrelation analysis and geographic detectors. The results indicate that (1) the PHS level exhibited notable hierarchical characteristics and spatial differences (high in the eastern coastal regions and low in the western inland regions), with weak positive autocorrelation characteristics; (2) nighttime light index, per capital GRP, and population size are major drivers of heterogeneity of development level and functional structure of PHS; and (3) the functional structure followed an emergence-development-maturity-decline-extinction life cycle. Overall, the development of PHS must play a leading role in high-level areas, and urban decision-makers should clarify and adapt to local preferences of PHS and predict future changes. The findings of this study can help China and other countries promote realistic development by unveiling the characteristics of PHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Constructed a comprehensive evaluation model of urban ventilation potential (UVP) • UVP has a negative correlation with Land Surface Temperature (LST) • Circuit theory is more suitable for the identification of ventilation corridors. • Ventilation corridors have seasonal differences in mitigating LST. In the context of global warming and rapid urbanization, urban wind-heat environment has become increasingly prominent. Although the identification of ventilation corridors has been well investigated, the impact of ventilation corridors on thermal environment remains unclear. Here, we use the single-window algorithm and circuit theory method to analyze the characteristics of land surface temperature (LST) and ventilation corridors in four megacities of China, so as to quantify the effect of ventilation corridors on thermal environment. Results show that circuit theory works well for identifying ventilation corridors. Moreover, we find that spatial distribution of ventilation corridors in one city is remarkably different from another. Interestingly, ventilation corridors, which consist of green spaces, waters, and roads, have a remarkable mitigation effect on thermal environment. LST of each city is mitigated by 2.39 ℃, 3.22 ℃, 2.11 ℃ and 2.60 ℃, respectively, and the cooling intensity in summer is better than that in winter. Thus, it is of great significance to arrange urban form and ventilation corridors to alleviate the impact of high temperature on urban residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]