IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i21p15511-d1272084.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How Did Urban Environmental Characteristics Influence Land Surface Temperature in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022? Evidence from Remote Sensing and Land Use Data

Author

Listed:
  • Zherong Wu

    (Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Jiangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanchang 330022, China
    Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Xinyang Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Jiangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanchang 330022, China
    Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Peifeng Ma

    (Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Jiangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanchang 330022, China
    Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518063, China)

  • Mei-Po Kwan

    (Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Institute of Future Cities, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Yang Liu

    (Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
    Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Urbanization has led to environmental challenges, with the urban heat island effect being a prominent concern. Understanding the influence of urban environmental characteristics (UECs) on land surface temperature (LST) is essential for addressing this issue and promoting sustainable urban development. The spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of LST have been investigated in past studies, but research that explicitly investigates the key factors and long-term spatial relationships affecting LST in city-scale urban areas is limited. Remote sensing techniques provide valuable insights into LST patterns and the relationship between urban environment and temperature dynamics. We utilized Landsat 8 images to derive the LST and six spectral indices from 2017 to 2022 in Hong Kong, a city characterized by high population density and rapid urban growth. We also acquired land use data to reflect Hong Kong’s dynamic urban landscape. The complex interactions between urban environment and LST were analyzed using various analytical techniques, including slope trend analysis, land use change detection, and correlation analysis. Finally, we constructed a random forest model to assess the importance of each environmental characteristic. Our findings provide three key insights for regions experiencing rapid urbanization. First, the LST showed an increasing trend in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022, with the annual LST rising from 21.13 °C to 23.46 °C. Second, we identify negative relationships between LST and vegetation (−0.49)/water bodies (−0.49) and a positive correlation between LST and built-up areas (0.56) utilizing Pearson’s correlation. Third, the dominant influence of built-up areas was underscored, contributing as much as 53.4% to elevated LST levels, with specific attention to the substantial reclamation activities in Hong Kong. The insights from this study provide valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental researchers to formulate evidence-based strategies to achieve a resilient, livable urban future.

Suggested Citation

  • Zherong Wu & Xinyang Zhang & Peifeng Ma & Mei-Po Kwan & Yang Liu, 2023. "How Did Urban Environmental Characteristics Influence Land Surface Temperature in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022? Evidence from Remote Sensing and Land Use Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15511-:d:1272084
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/21/15511/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/21/15511/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sihang Gao & Qingming Zhan & Chen Yang & Huimin Liu, 2020. "The Diversified Impacts of Urban Morphology on Land Surface Temperature among Urban Functional Zones," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Cohen, Barney, 2006. "Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 63-80.
    3. Dimitra Founda & George Katavoutas & Fragiskos Pierros & Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, 2022. "The Extreme Heat Wave of Summer 2021 in Athens (Greece): Cumulative Heat and Exposure to Heat Stress," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-16, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ahsan Nawaz & Xing Su & Qaiser Mohi Ud Din & Muhammad Irslan Khalid & Muhammad Bilal & Syyed Adnan Raheel Shah, 2020. "Identification of the H&S (Health and Safety Factors) Involved in Infrastructure Projects in Developing Countries-A Sequential Mixed Method Approach of OLMT-Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Alina Kulczyk-Dynowska & Agnieszka Stacherzak, 2022. "The Impact of a City on Its Environment: The Prism of Demography and Selected Environmental and Technical Aspects Based on the Case of Major Lower Silesian Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Dinkelman, Taryn & Schulhofer-Wohl, Sam, 2015. "Migration, congestion externalities, and the evaluation of spatial investments," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 189-202.
    4. Mari-Isabella Stan, 2022. "The impact of the pandemic crisis on employment in the context of urbanization," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 33(1), pages 492-505, July.
    5. Zhen Yang & Jun Lei & Jian-Gang Li, 2019. "Identifying the Determinants of Urbanization in Prefecture-Level Cities in China: A Quantitative Analysis Based on Spatial Production Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Bernard Fosu Frimpong & Frank Molkenthin, 2021. "Tracking Urban Expansion Using Random Forests for the Classification of Landsat Imagery (1986–2015) and Predicting Urban/Built-Up Areas for 2025: A Study of the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Yan Yan & Hui Liu & Ningcheng Wang & Shenjun Yao, 2021. "How Does Low-Density Urbanization Reduce the Financial Sustainability of Chinese Cities? A Debt Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    8. Ulep, Valerie Gilbert T. & Ortiz, Danica Aisa P. & Go, John Juliard & Duante, Charmaine & Gonzales, Rosa C. & Mendoza, Laurita R. & Reyes, Clarissa & Elgo, Frances Rose & Aldeon, Melanie P., 2012. "Inequities in Noncommunicable Diseases," Discussion Papers DP 2012-04, Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
    9. S. A. Mashi & A. I. Inkani & Oghenejeabor Obaro & A. S. Asanarimam, 2020. "Community perception, response and adaptation strategies towards flood risk in a traditional African city," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(2), pages 1727-1759, September.
    10. Nina Savela & Jarkko Levänen & Sara Lindeman & Nnenesi Kgabi & Heikki Koivisto & Meri Olenius & Samuel John & Damas Mashauri & Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola, 2020. "Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Pressure: Comparing the Sustainability Transition Potential of Water and Energy Regimes in Namibia," World, MDPI, vol. 1(2), pages 1-18, July.
    11. Dohse, Dirk & Lim, Cheng Yee, 2016. "Macro-geographic location and internet adoption in poor countries: What is behind the persistent digital gap?," Kiel Working Papers 2067, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    12. Marcello Schiavina & Michele Melchiorri & Christina Corbane & Aneta J. Florczyk & Sergio Freire & Martino Pesaresi & Thomas Kemper, 2019. "Multi-Scale Estimation of Land Use Efficiency (SDG 11.3.1) across 25 Years Using Global Open and Free Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-25, October.
    13. Alessandra Pelloni & Thanasis Stengos & Ilaria Tedesco, 2018. "Aid to agriculture, trade and take-off," Working Paper series 18-04, Rimini Centre for Economic Analysis.
    14. Małgorzata Świąder & Szymon Szewrański & Jan K. Kazak, 2018. "Foodshed as an Example of Preliminary Research for Conducting Environmental Carrying Capacity Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-22, March.
    15. Rasa Pranskuniene & Dalia Perkumiene, 2021. "Public Perceptions on City Landscaping during the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease: The Case of Vilnius Pop-Up Beach, Lithuania," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    16. Yunqian Zhang & Zhenjie Chen & Qianwen Cheng & Chen Zhou & Penghui Jiang & Manchun Li & Dong Chen, 2016. "Quota Restrictions on Land Use for Decelerating Urban Sprawl of Mega City: A Case Study of Shanghai, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, September.
    17. Alejandro Lara & Felipe Bucci & Cristobal Palma & Juan Munizaga & Victor Montre-Águila, 2021. "Development, urban planning and political decisions. A triad that built territories at risk," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 109(2), pages 1935-1957, November.
    18. Sarvenaz Pakravan & Shahin Keynoush & Ehsan Daneshyar, 2022. "Proposing a Pedagogical Framework for Integrating Urban Agriculture as a Tool to Achieve Social Sustainability within the Interior Design Studio," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-32, June.
    19. Edmond Totin & Alcade C. Segnon & Marc Schut & Hippolyte Affognon & Robert B. Zougmoré & Todd Rosenstock & Philip K. Thornton, 2018. "Institutional Perspectives of Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-20, June.
    20. Sanjay K. Mohanty & Guru Vasishtha, 2021. "Contextualizing multidimensional poverty in urban India," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(3), pages 234-253, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15511-:d:1272084. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.