Thermal environment control units for multi-objective urban optimization in territorial spatial planning

• Thermal environment control unit approach integrates heat metrics into urban planning. • Spatial analysis shows patterns of heat islands , thermal comfort, and energy use. • Optimization balances heat intensity, outdoor comfort, and cooling energy demand. • Integrated thermal environment index supports climate-adaptive urban design decisions. • Framework bridges gap between thermal assessment and actionable planning solutions. Urban heat island phenomenon significantly impacts urban thermal conditions, human well-being, and energy consumption, necessitating innovative urban thermal environment management approaches. This study introduces thermal environment control units (TECUs) to optimize urban thermal environments in territorial spatial planning, addressing the gap between current assessment tools and actionable, data-driven planning solutions. By leveraging the urban weather generator (UWG) model, we developed an optimization framework, dividing the central urban area of Guangzhou into 234 TECUs. The methodology involves UWG-based simulations and multi-objective parametric optimization. Analysis revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in thermal performance indicators: urban heat island intensity (0.87 °C-2.42 °C), universal thermal climate index (17.1 °C-27.0 °C), and cooling energy demand (5.32–28.76 W/m²). A case study optimization of a representative TECU demonstrated simultaneous improvements in all indicators through parameter tuning, including building height, density, and green coverage. The TECU approach bridges micro-scale thermal phenomena and macro-scale urban planning, providing a quantitative basis for incorporating thermal performance into the planning system. This methodology offers a pathway toward climate-resilient and thermally comfortable urban environments, addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change. The findings have significant implications for urban policy, design practices, and future research in creating sustainable and livable cities.