Simulating Urban Green Space’s Cooling Impact on School-age Children’ Sleep Quality Using Diverse Planning Approaches

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of urban green spaces (UGS) as a climate change mitigation strategy, their cooling effects have not been thoroughly studied for public health benefits. This study, conducted in Guangdong Province, a subtropical monsoon region in China’s Great Bay Area, assesses four UGS scenarios with different trade-offs regarding their impacts on school-age children’s sleep health. Introducing around 2.5 to 2.7 km2 of UGS significantly lowers temperatures by up to 1.13 °C monthly, benefiting populations with varying risk levels. Prioritizing small UGS yields the most profound benefits, especially investing in existing ones. Emphasizing large UGS has limited benefits, with constructing new ones the least effective. Careful planning and design highlighting social benefits and equity are crucial for addressing heat-related health risks under climate change.