Spatio-Temporal Heterogeneity of the Urban Heat Effect and Its Socio-Ecological Drivers in Yangzhou City, China

Tao Wu, Zhaoyi Wang and Qiang Xu ()
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Tao Wu: College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Zhaoyi Wang: College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Qiang Xu: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and land-use changes may affect the intensity of urban heat islands (UHIs). However, research on the eastern Chinese city of Yangzhou is lacking. Using land cover data and the InVest Urban Cooling model, this study evaluated the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the UHI effect from 1990 to 2020 and its socioecological drivers in Yangzhou City. Landscape pattern indices such as patch area (CA), percentage of landscape (PLAND), number of patches, patch density, and aggregation index were created using Fragstats 4.2 software. Several social indicators, such as gross domestic product (GDP), night-light index, and population density, were considered to explore their correlation with UHI indicators. During the past three decades, rapid urbanization in Yangzhou has intensified the UHI effect, with the cooling capacity (cc park) and heat mitigation index (HMI) decreasing by ~9.6%; however, the mixed air temperature (T air) has increased by 0.14 °C. The main heat island areas are concentrated in southern Yangzhou, including the Hanjiang and Guangling districts, and have expanded over time. T air was positively correlated with GDP, night-light index, and population density. Moreover, for the impervious land use type, cc park and HMI were negatively correlated with CA and PLAND ( p < 0.01). This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of UHIs and provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers striving to create sustainable and climate-resilient cities in Yangzhou.

Keywords: urban heat island; spatio-temporal patterns; urbanization; InVest model; driving factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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