Urban Remote Sensing and Its Applications in Urban Heat Island (Uhi) Analysis for Sustainable City Planning and Environmental Management

Abstract

Urbanization has led to significant transformations in land use and land cover, resulting in the development of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) — areas with elevated surface or atmospheric temperatures compared to surrounding rural zones. This phenomenon poses challenges for environmental sustainability, public health, and urban planning. Urban Remote Sensing (URS) has emerged as a critical tool for identifying, mapping, and analyzing these heat anomalies using satellite and aerial data. This paper explores the integration of multispectral and thermal remote sensing for UHI detection, discusses the role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in spatial analysis, reviews recent advancements, and highlights challenges and future prospects in this domain. The paper also emphasizes the significance of remote sensing data in shaping smart and sustainable urban environments through data-driven decisionmaking.

KEYWORDS: Urban Remote Sensing, Urban Heat Island, Thermal Infrared, GIS, Land Surface Temperature, Sustainable Urban Planning