Abstract
The urban heat island (UHI) effect is a global problem that is likely to grow as a result of urban population expansion. Multiple studies conclude that green spaces and waterbodies can reduce urban heat islands. However, previous studies often treat urban green spaces (UGSs) as static or limit the number of green spaces investigated within a city. Cognizant of these shortcomings, Landsat derived vegetation and land surface temperature (LST) metrics for 80 urban green spaces in Puebla, Mexico, over a 34-year (1986–2019) and a 20-year (2000–2019) period were studied. To create a photo library, 73 of these green spaces were visited and the available land cover types were recorded. Green spaces with Indian laurel were found to be much greener and vegetation index values remained relatively stable compared to green spaces with mixed vegetation cover. Similarly, green spaces with large waterbodies were cooler than those without water. These results show that larger green spaces were significantly cooler (p < 0.01) and that size can explain almost 30% of temperature variability. Furthermore, green spaces with higher vegetation index values were significantly cooler (p < 0.01), and the relationship between greenness and temperature strengthened over time.
Highlights
Cities are home to 55% of the world’s population, a percentage projected to increase to 68% by 2050 [1]
We present the results of the land surface temperature (LST) mean z-score and urban green spaces (UGSs) size analysis, and LST change analysis
We present the relationship of the LST mean z-score with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) mean z-score formulated for 1 May 2000, 24
Summary
Cities are home to 55% of the world’s population, a percentage projected to increase to 68% by 2050 [1]. IS impedes rainwater infiltration and groundwater regeneration because the built environment changes the natural flow of water This creates water quality, flooding, and water scarcity issues, in addition to socioeconomic impacts, in cities located across diverse climatic zones [3,4]. Most IS materials are gray or black, which absorb and retain more solar energy than vegetated land surfaces; during summer seasons, IS increases heat storage [5,6]. This stored heat can make cities, especially those located closer to the Equator between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, warmer than rural areas [6]. Cities in these latitudinal zones receive more shortwave radiation or insolation from the sun, and when urban temperatures rise, increased energy use related to cooling and transportation systems can further warm these places [7]
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