Comparative Analysis of Urban Heat Island Intensities in Chinese, Russian, and DPRK Regions across the Transnational Urban Agglomeration of the Tumen River in Northeast Asia

Bing Li, Zhifeng Liu, Ying Nan, Shengnan Li and Yanmin Yang
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Bing Li: Department of Geography, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China
Zhifeng Liu: Center for Human-Environment System Sustainability (CHESS), State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (ESPRE), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Ying Nan: Department of Geography, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China
Shengnan Li: Department of Geography, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China
Yanmin Yang: Department of Geography, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Quantification of the spatial pattern of urban heat island intensities across the transnational urban agglomeration of the Tumen River is important for the promotion of sustainable regional development. This study employed Landsat images and MODIS LST data obtained in 2016 to determine the intensity of urban heat islands in this region, enabling direct comparison of data from the sub-regions of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Russia. The average urban heat island intensity for the region was found to be 1.0 °C, with the highest intensity of 3.0 °C occurring during the summer time. The intensity of urban heat islands on the Chinese side was higher than on the other two sides, with city size, socio-economic development levels and vegetation coverage significantly affect their intensity. Urban heat island effects in Chinese cities in the region contribute increases in maximum summer temperatures and the number of high-temperature days that pose a threat to the health of their residents. The factors that influence urban heat island intensities in these cities and the impacts of urban heat island effects on the quality of life and health of residents are discussed. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the impact of urban heat island effects on cities in the region by increasing the area of green spaces they contain, as well as controlling their size and population.

Keywords: transnational urban agglomeration of Tumen River; China; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Russia; urban heat island intensity; land surface temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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