Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia

Urban heat islands (UHIs) are a phenomenon of temperature rising within urban areas relative to their rural counterparts. UHIs are becoming an increasingly common problem in large cities, which appear due to excessive urbanization and reductions in natural cover and vegetation. This phenomenon negat...

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Main Authors: Majda Ćesić, Katarina Rogulj, Andrija Krtalić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/175
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author Majda Ćesić
Katarina Rogulj
Andrija Krtalić
author_facet Majda Ćesić
Katarina Rogulj
Andrija Krtalić
author_sort Majda Ćesić
collection DOAJ
description Urban heat islands (UHIs) are a phenomenon of temperature rising within urban areas relative to their rural counterparts. UHIs are becoming an increasingly common problem in large cities, which appear due to excessive urbanization and reductions in natural cover and vegetation. This phenomenon negatively affects the quality of life of the residents of the affected city, causing discomfort, reducing air quality, and increasing energy demand. In this study, UHIs were detected and analyzed in the city of Split, Croatia, using data from the Landsat 8 and 9 satellite missions and ground-based measurements of air and land surface temperatures, which were conducted in July, August, and September 2024. This research compares ground-based and sensor-based temperatures, and their analysis results in the proposal of a new index: the Combined Thermal Index. The main feature of this new index, which combines measured and perceived temperature, is to improve the understanding of the impact of UHIs in the city (Split), compared to existing indices. So far, LST and air temperature have not been combined, nor have they been combined with human perception of temperature, which is important in the case of UHIs because it is these people who will ultimately feel a rise in temperature.
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spelling doaj-art-bd96f6cc7e11420bb4d65b40c2ff17142025-01-24T13:38:12ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-01-0114117510.3390/land14010175Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, CroatiaMajda Ćesić0Katarina Rogulj1Andrija Krtalić2Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, University of Split, Matice Hrvatske 15, 21000 Split, CroatiaFaculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, University of Split, Matice Hrvatske 15, 21000 Split, CroatiaFaculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaUrban heat islands (UHIs) are a phenomenon of temperature rising within urban areas relative to their rural counterparts. UHIs are becoming an increasingly common problem in large cities, which appear due to excessive urbanization and reductions in natural cover and vegetation. This phenomenon negatively affects the quality of life of the residents of the affected city, causing discomfort, reducing air quality, and increasing energy demand. In this study, UHIs were detected and analyzed in the city of Split, Croatia, using data from the Landsat 8 and 9 satellite missions and ground-based measurements of air and land surface temperatures, which were conducted in July, August, and September 2024. This research compares ground-based and sensor-based temperatures, and their analysis results in the proposal of a new index: the Combined Thermal Index. The main feature of this new index, which combines measured and perceived temperature, is to improve the understanding of the impact of UHIs in the city (Split), compared to existing indices. So far, LST and air temperature have not been combined, nor have they been combined with human perception of temperature, which is important in the case of UHIs because it is these people who will ultimately feel a rise in temperature.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/175urban heat islandsland surface temperatureLandsat datatemperature perceptionCombined Thermal Index
spellingShingle Majda Ćesić
Katarina Rogulj
Andrija Krtalić
Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia
Land
urban heat islands
land surface temperature
Landsat data
temperature perception
Combined Thermal Index
title Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia
title_full Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia
title_fullStr Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia
title_full_unstemmed Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia
title_short Combined Thermal Index Development for Urban Heat Island Detection in Area of Split, Croatia
title_sort combined thermal index development for urban heat island detection in area of split croatia
topic urban heat islands
land surface temperature
Landsat data
temperature perception
Combined Thermal Index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/175
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