Thermal environment of spatial morphology in clustered villages: field evidence, simulation analysis, and planning implications from the Guanzhong Plain China

• AT＆RH daily variation of Public Spaces is exceptionally significant. • RS has the most significant impact on village microclimate. • Establishing the Key VSM indicators system. • Provides theoretical and data support for rural planning. Chinese villages are distinguished by their dense distribution and pronounced spatial clustering, with thermal environment conditions strongly shaped by their spatial morphology. This study investigates how the spatial morphology of clustered villages affects local microclimates, aiming to address a gap in current research. Using 42 villages in the Guanzhong Plain, microclimate data were obtained through field measurements and ENVI-met simulations. A regression model identified key spatial indicators, and a curve-fitting model was developed to predict their optimal threshold ranges. Main results indicate that public spaces exhibit the largest diurnal variation in air temperature and relative humidity during typical summer days. Road Area Floor (Raf) makes a significant contribution on AT, RH, and wind speed, while Ba exhibits the smallest contribution. Road space is the main spatial type that affects the microclimatic environment of villages, then, the key village spatial morphology indicators system was established. The curve prediction model for Raf and PET (Y = −807.103X 2 + 70.297X + 58.567, R 2 = 0.731) indicates that the maximum value of Raf was calculated to be 0.043. This study fills a theoretical gap in the microclimate research of clustered rural settlements. The proposed spatial morphology index system and thresholds offer practical guidance for rural planning, supporting rural revitalization efforts.