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How Did Urban Environmental Characteristics Influence Land Surface Temperature in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022? Evidence from Remote Sensing and Land Use Data

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  • Zherong Wu

    (Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Jiangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanchang 330022, China
    Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Xinyang Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Jiangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanchang 330022, China
    Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Peifeng Ma

    (Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Jiangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanchang 330022, China
    Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518063, China)

  • Mei-Po Kwan

    (Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Institute of Future Cities, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Yang Liu

    (Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Urbanization has led to environmental challenges, with the urban heat island effect being a prominent concern. Understanding the influence of urban environmental characteristics (UECs) on land surface temperature (LST) is essential for addressing this issue and promoting sustainable urban development. The spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of LST have been investigated in past studies, but research that explicitly investigates the key factors and long-term spatial relationships affecting LST in city-scale urban areas is limited. Remote sensing techniques provide valuable insights into LST patterns and the relationship between urban environment and temperature dynamics. We utilized Landsat 8 images to derive the LST and six spectral indices from 2017 to 2022 in Hong Kong, a city characterized by high population density and rapid urban growth. We also acquired land use data to reflect Hong Kong’s dynamic urban landscape. The complex interactions between urban environment and LST were analyzed using various analytical techniques, including slope trend analysis, land use change detection, and correlation analysis. Finally, we constructed a random forest model to assess the importance of each environmental characteristic. Our findings provide three key insights for regions experiencing rapid urbanization. First, the LST showed an increasing trend in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022, with the annual LST rising from 21.13 °C to 23.46 °C. Second, we identify negative relationships between LST and vegetation (−0.49)/water bodies (−0.49) and a positive correlation between LST and built-up areas (0.56) utilizing Pearson’s correlation. Third, the dominant influence of built-up areas was underscored, contributing as much as 53.4% to elevated LST levels, with specific attention to the substantial reclamation activities in Hong Kong. The insights from this study provide valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental researchers to formulate evidence-based strategies to achieve a resilient, livable urban future.

Suggested Citation

  • Zherong Wu & Xinyang Zhang & Peifeng Ma & Mei-Po Kwan & Yang Liu, 2023. "How Did Urban Environmental Characteristics Influence Land Surface Temperature in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022? Evidence from Remote Sensing and Land Use Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15511-:d:1272084
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Cohen, Barney, 2006. "Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 63-80.
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