Project Abstract

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Urban Heat Island Dynamics in a Rapidly Urbanizing City This project aims to investigate the dynamic nature of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon in a rapidly urbanizing city, providing crucial insights to guide sustainable urban planning and climate change adaptation strategies. The urban heat island effect, characterized by elevated temperatures within the built environment compared to the surrounding rural areas, is a well-documented consequence of urbanization. As cities undergo rapid growth, understanding the spatio-temporal variations of the UHI is essential for mitigating its adverse impacts on human health, energy consumption, and overall urban livability. The study will focus on a rapidly urbanizing city, a growing metropolitan area experiencing significant population and infrastructure expansion over the past decade. By integrating multi-source remote sensing data, meteorological observations, and high-resolution urban land cover information, the project will generate a comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis of the UHI dynamics within the study area. This approach will enable the researchers to identify the key drivers and patterns of UHI formation, evolution, and intensity across different spatial scales and time periods. One of the primary objectives of the project is to map the spatial distribution and temporal variability of the UHI, capturing its complex interactions with factors such as land use/land cover changes, urban morphology, and meteorological conditions. The researchers will employ advanced geospatial techniques, including remote sensing-based land surface temperature retrieval, to delineate the UHI extent and magnitude. By incorporating temporal data, the analysis will uncover the seasonality, diurnal cycles, and long-term trends of the UHI, providing a detailed understanding of its dynamic nature. Furthermore, the project will investigate the relationship between the UHI and various urban characteristics, such as the density and distribution of built-up areas, the presence of green spaces and water bodies, and the patterns of urban development. This will enable the identification of the specific urban features that contribute to the formation and exacerbation of the UHI, informing the design of targeted mitigation strategies. The findings of this study will have significant implications for urban planners, policymakers, and climate adaptation professionals. The spatio-temporal analysis of the UHI will provide a robust evidence base for developing and implementing effective urban planning and design interventions. This may include the strategic placement of green infrastructure, the optimization of building materials and layouts, and the integration of cooling technologies to counteract the UHI and enhance urban resilience to the impacts of climate change. Moreover, the project's results will contribute to the broader scientific understanding of urban climate dynamics, particularly in the context of rapidly urbanizing regions. The insights gained from this study can be used to inform the development of urban climate models, improve the accuracy of weather forecasting and climate projections, and support the design of sustainable urban development policies globally. In conclusion, this project's comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis of the urban heat island phenomenon in a rapidly urbanizing city will generate crucial knowledge to guide sustainable urban planning and climate change adaptation strategies. By leveraging advanced geospatial techniques and integrating multi-source data, the researchers aim to uncover the dynamic nature of the UHI and its interactions with the urban environment, ultimately contributing to the creation of more livable, resilient, and climate-responsive cities.

Project Overview