Study and analysis of efficient green cover types for mitigating the air temperature and urban heat island effect

Abstract

Urbanisation has a dynamic relationship with land surface temperature (LST), which leads to urban heat island (UHI) effect. Madurai, a temple city in Tamilnadu, India has experienced rapid urbanisation that has been resulting in an UHI since 1990. This present study examines changes in LST as an indicator of UHI by analysing the changes in land use land cover (LULC) and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). The analysis of these parameters indicates that higher LST is experienced in built up areas whereas lower LST is experienced in areas where green cover is more. This study further investigates the efficiency of various green cover types (trees and turfs) and optimum green plot ratio to mitigate air temperature by using Envi-met simulation software for the particular context. The findings of this study and further explorations on green spaces can be applied theoretically for improving urban planning and for mitigating the UHI effects.