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Impact of Urbanization on Surface Temperature in Morocco: A Multi-City Comparative Study

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  • Mohamed Amine Lachkham

    (Laboratory of Water Sciences, Microbial Biotechnologies, and Natural Resources Sustainability (AQUABIOTECH), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco)

  • Lahouari Bounoua

    (Biospheric Sciences Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA)

  • Noura Ed-dahmany

    (Laboratory of Water Sciences, Microbial Biotechnologies, and Natural Resources Sustainability (AQUABIOTECH), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco)

  • Mohammed Yacoubi Khebiza

    (Laboratory of Water Sciences, Microbial Biotechnologies, and Natural Resources Sustainability (AQUABIOTECH), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco)

Abstract

Morocco, like many nations undergoing significant economic and social transformation, is experiencing rapid urbanization alongside an ongoing rural exodus. This, coupled with the country’s diverse climate and heterogeneous geography, warrants a detailed exploration of urbanization’s effect on surface climate. Utilizing the Simple Biosphere (SiB2) model’s simulated surface temperature, this study analyses summer’s urban heat structure of seven Moroccan urban areas and their surroundings, assessing the urban impact on surface temperature at the city center, and the intensity and spatial distribution of the urban heat island (UHI) effect at different spatial resolutions. Results show wide-ranging dissimilarities in urban thermal profiles, with the maximum UHI intensity recorded at 8.7 °C in the Dakhla peninsula. Urban heat sink (UHS) effects were observed in six of the seven studied cities, with Marrakech being the exception, only exhibiting UHI effects. A more detailed examination of the thermal profile in Rabat’s metropole at a finer scale, using Landsat-observed land surface temperature (LST), yields additional insights into UHI characteristics, and the findings are contrasted with the existing literature to provide broader insights. The implications of this study strongly resonate within the Moroccan context and its neighboring regions with similar environmental and socio-economic features and should aid in the development of sustainable regional urban planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Amine Lachkham & Lahouari Bounoua & Noura Ed-dahmany & Mohammed Yacoubi Khebiza, 2025. "Impact of Urbanization on Surface Temperature in Morocco: A Multi-City Comparative Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1280-:d:1679404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Koomen & Vasco Diogo, 2017. "Assessing potential future urban heat island patterns following climate scenarios, socio-economic developments and spatial planning strategies," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 287-306, February.
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