Exploring the Interplay Between Urban Landscape and Land Surface Temperature: Case Study of South Twenty Four Parganas

The past decade’s shifting urban landscapes and ecological dynamics have profoundly impacted land use, land cover (LULC), and land surface temperature (LST) in diverse ways across regions. However, in the context of areas undergoing urban transitions in India, a comprehensive study connecting LULC changes to LST remains limited. This study analyses the correlation between LULC types (specifically built-up areas, waterbodies, green spaces, and bare land) and LST. Utilising statistical methods like Correlation analysis, dimension reduction analysis like Principal Component Analysis, and one-way ANOVA, the research examines their interrelation, identifying the most influential factor. Data derived from Landsat 8 and MODIS datasets form the basis of this analysis. Findings confirm the impact of impervious surfaces on LST, aligning with existing research, while highlighting vegetation’s stronger influence compared to water bodies. Elevated LST in bare land areas underscores the urgency of urban planning emphasizing green space expansion for sustainable thermal regulation. PCA was used to identify key sub-indicators across diverse domains and their influence on LST in different sections of the study region. Notable. Indicators such as UI (Urban Index), MNDWI (Modified Normalized Difference Water Index), NDVI (Normalised Vegetation Index), SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index), and DBSI (Dry Bare Soil Index) emerge as dominant in their respective domains. While ANOVA analysis reveals variations among indicators, sectioning the region uncovers significant LST and LULC differences. This paper offers insights into nuanced LULC-LST relationships, emphasizing the need for tailored urban sustainability strategies within the region. Insights from this research could provide valuable guidance for policymakers and urban planners, facilitating the development of more sustainable urban strategies.