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<p>Urbanization and changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) indices significantly impact Urban Heat Islands (UHI). Despite extensive research on UHI, regional variations demand localized studies. This study addresses the gap in understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and UHI effects in Damascus city in Syria. Leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE), Landsat 8 and 9 imagery from 2022 to 2023 was analyzed to derive LULC indices, namely, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and to retrieve LST using a single-channel algorithm. Seasonal LST variations, UHI intensity, and Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTVFI) were assessed. The results showed a clear seasonal pattern in LST, with mean summer temperatures reaching 40&#xa0;°C for both Landsat 8 and 9, compared to winter means of 5&#xa0;°C and 4&#xa0;°C, respectively. Urban areas consistently exhibited higher temperatures, highlighting the UHI effect. A strong negative correlation was found between vegetation cover NDVI and LST (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.46–0.79), while built-up areas NDBI positively correlated with LST (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.35–0.73). Water bodies NDWI also demonstrated a mitigating effect on LST (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.41–0.78). The validation of satellite-derived LST results were confirmed through comparing them with the ground measurements obtained from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with linear regression of Landsat 9 and Landsat 8 (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.95–0.90), respectively. The findings emphasize the existence of heat urban islands throughout the seasons, particularly summer, in the studied area, and these islands are centered in the south part where industrial areas are located. This research helps provide valuable insights into the urban thermal environment of Damascus and contribute to the development of effective strategies for mitigating the UHI effect and enhancing urban sustainability.</p>

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Assessing Urban Heat Island Intensity in Damascus City Using Google Earth Engine and Landsat 8 and 9: a Comparative Analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月5日

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  • Mohamad Khalil,
  • J. Satish Kumar

摘要

Urbanization and changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) indices significantly impact Urban Heat Islands (UHI). Despite extensive research on UHI, regional variations demand localized studies. This study addresses the gap in understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and UHI effects in Damascus city in Syria. Leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE), Landsat 8 and 9 imagery from 2022 to 2023 was analyzed to derive LULC indices, namely, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and to retrieve LST using a single-channel algorithm. Seasonal LST variations, UHI intensity, and Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTVFI) were assessed. The results showed a clear seasonal pattern in LST, with mean summer temperatures reaching 40 °C for both Landsat 8 and 9, compared to winter means of 5 °C and 4 °C, respectively. Urban areas consistently exhibited higher temperatures, highlighting the UHI effect. A strong negative correlation was found between vegetation cover NDVI and LST (R2 = 0.46–0.79), while built-up areas NDBI positively correlated with LST (R2 = 0.35–0.73). Water bodies NDWI also demonstrated a mitigating effect on LST (R2 = 0.41–0.78). The validation of satellite-derived LST results were confirmed through comparing them with the ground measurements obtained from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with linear regression of Landsat 9 and Landsat 8 (R2 = 0.95–0.90), respectively. The findings emphasize the existence of heat urban islands throughout the seasons, particularly summer, in the studied area, and these islands are centered in the south part where industrial areas are located. This research helps provide valuable insights into the urban thermal environment of Damascus and contribute to the development of effective strategies for mitigating the UHI effect and enhancing urban sustainability.