Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Urban Heat Island in Babolsar

Document Type : Articles from PhD & Master Dissertations

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Climatology, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Iran

2 MSc in Climatology, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Iran

Abstract

This research investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of the urban heat island (UHI) effect in Babolsar through the analysis of Landsat satellite imagery acquired between 1985 and 2020. The TM, OLI, and TIRS sensors were employed to capture sixteen images corresponding to the summer and winter seasons. The images underwent atmospheric and radiometric corrections, followed by the estimation of emissivity values using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to derive land surface temperature (LST) variations. The UHI intensity was calculated as the difference between the average temperature of suburban areas and the LST value of the city for each image. The findings revealed that the UHI effect in Babolsar was more pronounced during the summer than in the winter, likely due to factors such as increased daylight hours, higher demand for cooling systems, and reduced vegetation cover during the summer months. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation test indicated a significant inverse relationship between NDVI and the intensity of the UHI in both central and suburban areas of Babolsar at a 99% confidence level. This correlation suggests that urban green spaces may play a vital role in mitigating the UHI effect. Analysis of thermal maps over the 35-year period and the application of Pearson's correlation test highlighted elevated temperatures in Babolsar's central regions. Built-up and barren lands exhibited the highest temperatures, while green spaces exhibited the lowest temperatures. The decline in vegetation, coupled with an increase in population and subsequent urban expansion, have collectively contributed to the observed temperature rise in Babolsar.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Urban Structure and Function Studies
Volume 12, Issue 4
October 2025
Pages 37-56

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 November 2024
  • Revise Date: 03 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 03 June 2025

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