Objective As climate change and global warming continue to intensify, it is crucial to understand how appropriate urban built environments can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change stress and heat risk. However, less attention has been paid to the role of individual perception and behavior in response to climate change. Research has identified a set of psychological factors that dominate the process of decision-making in the face of climate change and heat risk, known as climate change and heat risk perception (HRP). Nevertheless, there is a lack of research exploring how urban residents’ perception of heat risk in the context of climate change might affect their physical activity in the built environment.

Methods To address the aforesaid research gap, this research focuses on the residential areas in Harbin’s built-up area. The World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools (WUDAPT) method is used to identify the LCZ types within these areas. A stratified sampling approach is then employed in five typical residential areas to gather data through questionnaire surveys. These surveys mainly collect information on residents’ HRP and physical activity levels, aiming to understand the differences and relationships between HRP levels in the dimensions of “fear”, “attitude” and “adaptation” and physical activity levels across residential areas with different LCZ types .

Results 1) This research suggests that HRP is indeed related to physical activity level. It is found that fear and attitude perceptions can reduce physical activity level, while adaptation perception can improve physical activity level. Additionally, HRP can significantly improve the accuracy of the built environment and physical activity model. Residents in residential areas with open layout and moderate density exhibit the lowest fear and attitude perceptions, as well as the highest adaptation perceptions and physical activity levels. 2) This research provides valuable insights into the indirect impacts of climate change and the built environment on residents’ health through the lens of risk perception. It highlights the importance of considering psychological factors such as HRP in urban climate governance and healthy urban planning. By understanding how individuals perceive and respond to climate change and heat risk, urban planners and policymakers can better design built environments that encourage physical activity and mitigate the negative health impacts of climate change. 3) The research underscores the need for further research on the complex interplay between climate change, the built environment, and human health. As the climate continues to change, it is essential to understand how individuals perceive and adapt to these changes and how urban environments can be designed to support healthy lifestyles. 4) This research can inform policies and interventions that promote physical activity and enhance the well-being of urban residents in the face of climate change. In conclusion, climate change and its associated heat risks pose significant challenges to human health, particularly in urban areas. Understanding the role of individual perception and behavior in response to climate change and heat risk is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the negative health impacts of climate change. By considering psychological factors such as HRP in urban planning and design, urban environments can be better equipped to support physical activity and promote the well-being of residents.

Conclusion  This research serves as a valuable contribution to the futrue literature on climate change, the built environment, and human health. It highlights the importance of integrating psychological factors into urban climate governance and healthy urban planning. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, this research underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches that consider the complex interactions between the environment, human behavior, and health outcomes. Ultimately, addressing the risks posed by climate change and creating healthy urban environments requires a comprehensive understanding of the social, psychological, and environmental factors at play. By referring the insights provided by this research, urban planners and policymakers can work towards creating built environments that are resilient to climate change.