Assessing the Impact of Climate Variation on Urban Heat Island Effect

Abstract

Urbanization and climate variation are two major factors that affect the urban heat island effect, which is the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures. This study aimed to assess the impact of climate variation on the urban heat island effect in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, utilizing GIS and remote sensing techniques. The study analyzed and mapped the spatial distribution of land use land cover (LULC) and land surface temperature (LST) from 2002 to 2023, using Landsat 7 and 8 satellite imagery. The findings revealed a significant increase in the built-up area, while cropland decreased substantially, indicating rapid urbanization and land use changes. The study provided evidence that climate variation had a notable impact on the urban heat island effect in Kaduna Metropolis, as evidenced by the observed changes in LULC and LST over time. The study recommends that strategies like increasing green spaces, enhancing vegetation cover, and promoting energy-efficient design in infrastructure development be adopted.