TABLE 2. Abridged definitions for local climate zones (see electronic supplement for photographs, surface
property values, and full definitions). LCZs 1–9 correspond to Oke’s (2004) urban climate zones.
Built types Definition Land cover types Definition
1. Compact high-rise Dense mix of tall buildings to tens of
stories. Few or no trees. Land cover
mostly paved. Concrete, steel, stone,
and glass construction materials.
A. Dense trees Heavily wooded landscape of
deciduous and/or evergreen trees.
Land cover mostly pervious (low
plants). Zone function is natural
forest, tree cultivation, or urban park.
2. Compact midrise Dense mix of midrise buildings (3–9
stories). Few or no trees. Land cover
mostly paved. Stone, brick, tile, and
concrete construction materials.
B. Scattered trees Lightly wooded landscape of
deciduous and/or evergreen trees.
Land cover mostly pervious (low
plants). Zone function is natural
forest, tree cultivation, or urban park.
3. Compact low-rise Dense mix of low-rise buildings (1–3
stories). Few or no trees. Land cover
mostly paved. Stone, brick, tile, and
concrete construction materials.
C. Bush, scrub Open arrangement of bushes, shrubs,
and short, woody trees. Land cover
mostly pervious (bare soil or sand).
Zone function is natural scrubland or
agriculture.
4. Open high-rise Open arrangement of tall buildings to
tens of stories. Abundance of pervious
land cover (low plants, scattered
trees). Concrete, steel, stone, and
glass construction materials.
D. Low plants Featureless landscape of grass or
herbaceous plants/crops. Few or
no trees. Zone function is natural
grassland, agriculture, or urban park.
5. Open midrise Open arrangement of midrise buildings
(3–9 stories). Abundance of pervious
land cover (low plants, scattered
trees). Concrete, steel, stone, and
glass construction materials.
E. Bare rock or paved Featureless landscape of rock or
paved cover. Few or no trees or
plants. Zone function is natural desert
(rock) or urban transportation.
6. Open low-rise Open arrangement of low-rise buildings
(1–3 stories). Abundance of pervious
land cover (low plants, scattered trees).
Wood, brick, stone, tile, and concrete
construction materials.
F. Bare soil or sand Featureless landscape of soil or sand
cover. Few or no trees or plants.
Zone function is natural desert or
agriculture.
7. Lightweight low-rise Dense mix of single-story buildings.
Few or no trees. Land cover mostly
hard-packed. Lightweight construction
materials (e.g., wood, thatch,
corrugated metal).
G. Water Large, open water bodies such as seas
and lakes, or small bodies such as
rivers, reservoirs, and lagoons.
8. Large low-rise Open arrangement of large low-rise
buildings (1–3 stories). Few or no
trees. Land cover mostly paved.
Steel, concrete, metal, and stone
construction materials.
VARIABLE LAND COVER PROPERTIES
Variable or ephemeral land cover properties that change
significantly with synoptic weather patterns, agricultural practices,
and/or seasonal cycles.
9. Sparsely built Sparse arrangement of small or
medium-sized buildings in a natural
setting. Abundance of pervious land
cover (low plants, scattered trees).
b. bare trees Leafless deciduous trees (e.g., winter).
Increased sky view factor. Reduced
albedo.
s. snow cover Snow cover >10 cm in depth. Low
admittance. High albedo.
10. Heavy industry Low-rise and midrise industrial structures
(towers, tanks, stacks). Few or
no trees. Land cover mostly paved
or hard-packed. Metal, steel, and
concrete construction materials.
d. dry ground Parched soil. Low admittance. Large
Bowen ratio. Increased albedo.
w. wet ground Waterlogged soil. High admittance.
Small Bowen ratio. Reduced albedo.
1885DECEMBER 2012AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY |