Exploring the Role of Population Dynamics in Surface Urban Heat Island Hotspots in Peri-Urban Dhaka

Abstract

This study investigates the hotspots of surface urban heat island (SUHI) in the peri-urban areas of Dhaka based on the nexus of population dynamics, urban expansion, and land surface temperature. The respective land use land cover (LULC) classification and land surface temperature (LST) estimation were derived for 2000 and 2022 using images from Landsat-5 and Landsat-8, respectively, by applying established equations. Urban growth and its relation to LST were estimated using the classification based on the random forest and normalised difference built-up index (NDBI). The latter are directly associated with economic activities. The results indicated increased LST over time with urban sprawl and population increase, and hotspots were typical in high male-dominated migration rates and highly dense industrial activity. This study gives insight into the sustainable approach to urban planning and managing populations through clarity on the prevailing relationships among population growth and urbanisation with changing temperature.

Keywords

• land surface temperature
• land use land cover
• population dynamics
• surface urban heat island
• urban expansion