Assessing Urban Heat Islands Using GIS and Remote Sensing for Sustainable Urban Planning in the Philippines

- Growing urbanization and a tropical climate intensify the known environmental challenges of urban heat islands (UHIs) in the Philippines. UHIs are formed by human activity, infrastructure, and decreased vegetation, resulting in elevated temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings. This tendency exacerbates energy consumption, air pollution, and health concerns, posing significant issues for urban planners and policymakers. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies provide efficient methods for evaluating and reducing UHIs. GIS enables the merging and examination of geographical data, providing a comprehensive understanding of urban settings. Remote sensing uses thermal data from satellites to provide a comprehensive understanding of land surface temperatures and heat distribution patterns. In the Philippines, these technologies are essential for detecting areas with high temperatures, assessing the elements that contribute to this, and creating specific policies for sustainable urban development. By utilizing GIS and remote sensing, urban planners can strategically create geographically accurate green spaces, optimize construction materials, and apply cooling measures, ultimately fostering a healthier and more resilient urban environment. This paper shows the significant utilization of these technologies to facilitate data-driven decision-making, which is crucial for mitigating the detrimental impacts of UHIs. This research can guide environmental planners on how to utilize GIS and remote sensing for a more scientific approach as urban areas continue to grow and science-based sustainable urban planning becomes more and more apparent. Evaluating UHIs using GIS and remote sensing is an essential step in the development of habitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient cities in the Philippines.