Abstract
ABSTRACT Surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) are a significant concern in urban areas worldwide owing to their adverse effects on energy consumption, human health, and urban climate. Strategic urban planning incorporating abundant vegetation is an approach to moderate the UHI effect, promoting cooler, greener and more sustainable cities. This study investigates SUHIs in Seoul and Ulsan, South Korea, from 2001 to 2022, using satellite measurements. Summer daytime SUHII holds significant importance due to the frequent presence of heatwaves and its combined effects with UHI phenomenon. Remarkably, Seoul has shown a significant decrease in summer daytime SUHIs (−0.03°C/yr in Terra and −0.05°C/yr in Aqua), attributed to increased vegetation (0.03/decade in Terra and 0.02/decade in Aqua) in the city’s core. In contrast, Ulsan saw rising SUHIs (+0.04°C/yr), linked to reduced summer vegetation. Daytime SUHII is highest in both Seoul and Ulsan during summer months with both Terra and Aqua datasets, and peaks in the month of June with values reaching up to 2.98°C in Seoul and 3.39°C in Ulsan. Increasing urban greenery, including tree planting, and expanded green spaces, proves effective in mitigating SUHIs, offering valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers to enhance urban sustainability, particularly in megacities like Seoul.
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