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Seasonal Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Gradients of the Urban Heat Island Effect in Subtropical Furnace Megacity

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  • Chen Fu

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    Hunan Big Data Engineering Technology Research Center of Natural Protected Areas Landscape Resources, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Cong Chen

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    Hunan Big Data Engineering Technology Research Center of Natural Protected Areas Landscape Resources, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Zhitao Fu

    (Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China)

Abstract

Urban heat island (UHI) effect significantly influences the urban sustainability and health of cities and varies seasonally. However, spring and autumn have received less attention. Furthermore, research on long-term seasonal UHI changes and impacts is insufficient. This study examines the seasonal spatiotemporal dynamics and gradient characteristics of UHI in spring, summer, autumn, and winter in Changsha, a typical subtropical “furnace city” from 2006 to 2022. (1) Spatiotemporal dynamics: The high-temperature UHI (relatively high-temperature zone and high-temperature zone) range expands most significantly in spring and least in autumn. Additionally, the UHI migrates northward within the study area, and proximity to the urban core results in multiple high-temperature UHI effects. (2) Gradient characteristics: The proportion of the high-temperature UHI in spring, summer, autumn, and winter decreases to varying degrees within the 5 km gradient from the central point, but increases within the 6–8 km and 11–13 km gradients, especially in spring and autumn. Additionally, within the 8 km gradient in spring, the aggregation index (AI), contagion index (CONTAG), and largest patch index (LPI) decreased, with UHI patches more affected by these metrics in autumn. Overall, this study offers new insights into the seasonal effects and development of UHI, which are crucial for addressing climate change, promoting sustainability, and improving human well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Fu & Cong Chen & Zhitao Fu, 2025. "Seasonal Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Gradients of the Urban Heat Island Effect in Subtropical Furnace Megacity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3238-:d:1628514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mehdi Bokaie & Aliakbar Shamsipour & Padideh Khatibi & Ali Hosseini, 2019. "Seasonal monitoring of urban heat island using multi-temporal Landsat and MODIS images in Tehran," International Journal of Urban Sciences, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 269-285, April.
    2. Yongxiao Liang & Nathan P. Gillett & Adam H. Monahan, 2024. "Accounting for Pacific climate variability increases projected global warming," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 14(6), pages 608-614, June.
    3. Pinar Mert Cuce & Erdem Cuce & Mattheos Santamouris, 2025. "Towards Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Cities: Mitigating Urban Heat Islands Through Green Infrastructure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, February.
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