Assessing the effects of urban heat islands and air pollution on human quality of life

Abstract

The world population is projected to peak before 2050, with a significant majority residing in highly urbanized areas. As a result, urban areas are expected to undergo further anthropogenic transformations, which will not only influence spatial development (i.e. sealing urban systems) but also affect local climatic conditions. One likely consequence is the increasing incidence of adverse interactions between two phenomena occurring in city centers, which can have a significant impact on human quality of life: urban heat islands (UHI) and urban pollution islands (UPI). Here, we review scientific research relating to the interaction of UHI and UPI. Two basic databases were used: Web of Science and Scopus. The literature review covers publications appearing between 1968 and 2022 (Web of Science: 1300 related to 'heat island’, 18,222 on ‘air pollution’; Scopus: 4393 on ‘heat island’ and 34,498 on ‘air pollution’), in fields such as environmental studies and meteorology studies. A significant number of the published articles were focused on cities located in Asia, Europe, and North America. Our findings show increasing research interest in UHI–UPI interactions, reflecting the risks they pose in the modern world—not only to human health and life, but also to the ecosystem. Effective urban planning emerges as a critical tool for addressing these challenges. Through the careful selection and implementation of targeted mitigation and adaptation strategies, it becomes possible to safeguard and enhance living conditions for urban populations. Such strategic planning is essential for ensuring that cities are not only habitable but also resilient and sustainable in the face of demographic shifts and environmental pressures.