The Future of European Urban Heat Islands in a Changing Climate

Global temperatures and the percentage of the global population living in cities are both rising. However, climate change may affect cities and megacities differently than rural areas due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This project will analyze the diurnal changes in land surface temperature (LST) in European cities and megacities compared to the surrounding areas, and the potential influence climate change may have on UHI and ultimately the long term habitability of these city centers. Analyzing high resolution LST satellite data—rather than air temperature—along with albedo, vegetation, and other factors that may affect UHI, we can determine localized risks for the city. This will also allow us to give highly localized recommendations to affected cities to decision makers on how to make their cities more livable as the climate warms, as well as advice for sustainable future city planning.