The Effects of Land Use Zoning and Densification on Changes in Land Surface Temperature in Seoul

Jae-Ik Kim,Ki-Hyun Kwon,Jun Yong Hyun,Myung-Jin Jun,Chang-Hwan Yeo

doi:10.3390/su11247056

Abstract

This study investigated how changes in land surface temperature (LST) during 2004 and 2014 were attributable to zoning-based land use type in Seoul in association with the building coverage ratio (BCR), floor area ratio (FAR), and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We retrieved LSTs and NDVI data from satellite images, Landsat TM 5 for 2004 and Landsat 8 TIRS for 2014 and combined them with parcel-based land use information, which contained data on BCR, FAR, and zoning-based land use type. The descriptive analysis results showed a rise in LST for the low- and medium-density residential land, whereas significant LST decreases were found in high-density residential, semi-residential, and commercial areas over the time period. Statistical results further supported these findings, yielding statistically significant negative coefficient values for all interaction variables between higher-density land use types and a year-based dummy variable. The findings appear to be related to residential densification involving the provision of more high-rise apartment complexes and government efforts to secure more parks and green spaces through urban redevelopment and renewal projects.

Highlights

An urban heat island (UHI) is a phenomenon that occurs when urban areas have a significantly higher surface temperature than surrounding non-urban areas, primarily due to excessive heat energy created by human activities
This study investigated how changes in land surface temperature (LST) were impacted by land use type, using Seoul as a case study
The descriptive analysis results showed that over a ten-year period, there was a rise in LST for low- and medium-density residential, and semi-industrial areas, whereas LST drops were found in high-density residential, semi-residential, and commercial areas

Summary

Introduction

An urban heat island (UHI) is a phenomenon that occurs when urban areas have a significantly higher surface temperature than surrounding non-urban areas, primarily due to excessive heat energy created by human activities. Deilami et al [10] reported that temporal factors including season and day/night effects are considered in many studies they reviewed (33% and 25% of 75 reviewed papers, respectively), while spatial factors such as vegetation cover (44% of reviewed papers), built up area (28%), and population density (14%) are addressed They further noted that among land use/cover patterns, prior studies focused on impervious surfaces (IPS), vegetation, water, buildings, and bare soil. Gago et al [9], in a comprehensive review of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of UHI, noted that the three most impactful land use and land cover (LULC) factors on UHI are buildings, green spaces, and pavement, and suggested that these factors be considered during the urban planning process. The third section summarizes all results and addresses their implications

Study Area

StatSisetmicia-linAdnualsytrsisal areas

Findings

Conclusions and Implications