Urbanization influenced SUHI Of 41 megacities of the world using big geospatial data assisted with google earth engine

Abstract

The rapid pace of urbanization with climate change pushed megacities into the forefront of human habitation, emphasizing the urgent need to unravel the relationship between urban expansion and environmental dynamics. This study examines the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) within the 41 megacities, to interpret the complex relationship that emerges from the nexus of urbanization and climatic influence. Through a comprehensive analysis, it has been observed that daytime and nighttime temperature is increasing particularly in Asian regions. An interesting SUHI intensity emerges in all megacities of the world. The SUHI does vary greatly across the megacities of the world. Similarly, the average daytime ocean/coastal cities SUHI (1.19 °C) was higher than inland cities (0.77 °C) but at nighttime inland cities had a higher average SUHI (0.95 °C) than ocean/coastal cities (0.93 °C). Notably, the findings illuminate the complex relationship between city size, elevation, and location with inland and ocean/coastal cities. An inverse yet substantively significant relationship emerges between, city size, elevation, and SUHI magnitude. Our study delivers a positive but moderate correlation between daytime and nighttime SUHI and population density (r2 = 0.3/r2 = 0.5, p<0.05). In summary, this study elevates our understanding of SUHI phenomena. These insights are for well-informed urban policies and sustainable development.