Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The urban heat island (UHI) effect has become a significant concern in many rapidly growing cities around the world due to its adverse impacts on the urban environment, human health, and energy consumption. This thesis aims to analyze the UHI effect in a rapidly growing city and explore its underlying causes, spatial patterns, and potential mitigation strategies. The study focuses on understanding the dynamics of temperature variations within the urban fabric and identifying the key drivers contributing to the UHI effect. The research methodology includes a combination of field measurements, remote sensing analysis, and spatial modeling techniques to assess the spatial distribution of land surface temperatures and identify hotspots of UHI intensity within the study area. A comprehensive literature review provides a theoretical framework for understanding the UHI phenomenon, its impacts on urban ecosystems, and the role of urban morphology, land cover, and land use in exacerbating or mitigating the UHI effect. The findings reveal significant spatial variations in land surface temperatures across different land cover types, with urban areas exhibiting higher temperatures compared to rural areas. The study identifies the key factors contributing to the UHI effect, including impervious surfaces, lack of green spaces, and anthropogenic heat sources, which intensify heat retention and reduce natural cooling mechanisms in urban areas. Based on the analysis of the research findings, the thesis discusses potential mitigation strategies to reduce the UHI effect in the studied city, such as increasing green infrastructure, implementing cool roof technologies, and enhancing urban planning policies to promote sustainable urban development practices. The implications of these strategies for urban sustainability, climate resilience, and public health are also discussed. Overall, this thesis contributes to the understanding of the UHI effect in rapidly growing cities and provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental practitioners to address the challenges of urban heat islands and create more resilient and sustainable urban environments. The research findings highlight the importance of integrating climate-responsive design principles and nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of the UHI effect and enhance the quality of life for urban residents in rapidly growing cities.

Thesis Overview