Exploring the relationship between the 2D/3D architectural morphology and urban land surface temperature based on a boosted regression tree: A case study of Beijing, China

With rapid urbanization, urban three-dimensional morphology and its ecological effects have received more attention. However, thorough investigations into the multiple scale impact of the 2D/3D architectural morphology on urban land surface temperature (LST) remain limited. Taking Beijing as a case study area, we quantified the contributions of the 2D/3D architectural morphology indicators and revealed their marginal effects on multiple scales using the boosted regression trees (BRT) method. The results showed that (1) the building coverage ratio and building height were the most significant factors influencing the LST across all spatial scales and seasons, (2) the 3D shape index, 3D fractal, and 3D adjacency were found to be influential factors, with sum contributions varying from 6.0% to 37.7%, and (3) in summer, the 3D shape index showed a stepwise negative correlation with the LST. The 3D fractal and 3D adjacency exhibited both positive and negative correlations with the LST. When the spatial scale was 240 m, the regulation amplitudes for the 3D shape index, 3D fractal, and 3D adjacency were 2.0°C, 1.0°C and 1.0°C, respectively. These findings provide quantitative insights that can be used to improve urban thermal environments and achieve sustainable urban development by adjusting architectural morphology.