Spatial Assessment of Heat Exposure in Bay Cities: A Case of Xiamen in China

Abstract

With the global warming, the rapid urbanization process and the increasing intensity and scope of human activities, extreme high temperature and cooresponding high temperature events were frequent, meanwhile, the degree of urban exposure to high temperatures was growing. The research constructed the heat exposure evaluation index system by taking the heat exposure evaluation index system in Xiamen, a gulf-based city with high-temperature. This study evaluated the influence factors, spatial differentiation features and hotspots of the heat exposure based on the methods of geo-spatial analysis, emergy accounting theory, expert consultation and analytic hierarchy process in Xiamen. The research results were expected to promote the theoretical development of urban heat exposure researches, and to provide decision-making reference for heat exposure assessment, regulation and adaptation in Xiamen and similar high temperature cities.