Spatio-temporal analysis of the effects of urban growth on urban heat island: case of Konya, Turkiye

Abstract

The increase in impermeable surfaces within the urban areas contributes to local and regional-scale climate changes. This phenomenon, called Urban Heat Island, is observed as the temperature in urban areas is higher than rural areas and natural landscape areas on the urban fringe. In recent years, advances in remote sensing and geographic information system technologies have enabled the urban heat island effect to be determined more quickly, economically, and accurately. In this study, the rapidly increasing urbanization in Konya, Turkiye and the resulting urban heat island effect have been analyzed. The study consists of four steps. In the first step, land surface temperatures for 1990 and 2022 of Konya city center were determined using the thermal band of Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-8 OLI satellite images. Then, satellite images were classified using the maximum likelihood method to determine land use and land cover in Konya. The effects of land use types and urban growth on urban heat island were examined. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI) analyses were examined the statistical relationships between land surface temperature. The last step, the urban heat island effects of different types of regions in the city center of Konya were determined based on their urban form, texture, structure, landscape, and planning strategy. As a result of the study, measures that can be taken especially in spatial planning and design policies have been identified to reduce and prevent the urban heat island in Konya.