Parameterization of urban characteristics for global climate modeling

To properly capture the spatial variability in urban areas, GCMs require global databases of urban extent and characteristics. This article describes methods and characteristics used to create a data set that can be utilized to simulate urban systems on a global scale within GCMs.

The data set represents three main categories of urban properties: spatial extent, urban morphology, and thermal and radiative properties of building materials. Spatial extent of urban areas is derived from a population density data set and calibrated within thirty-three regions of similar physical and social characteristics. For each region, four classes of urbanization are identified and linked to a set of typical building morphology, thermal, and radiative characteristics.