Multitemporal Analysis of Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Response to Land-Use/Land-Cover (LULC) Changes in Bukidnon Province, Philippines (2017–2024)

Urbanization has transformed natural landscapes, resulting in increased land surface temperatures and the intensification of urban heat island (UHI) effects. This study explores the relationship between land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes and land surface temperature (LST) from 2017 to 2024, using satellite data from Landsat and Sentinel. The results from supervised classification reveal a 50.9% increase in built-up land, from 21,256 hectares in 2017 to 32,099 hectares in 2024, accompanied by a 6.3% decline in woodland. Analysis of the LST data highlights rising temperatures in urbanized and deforested areas, with LST peaking at 36.96 °C in 2020 before slightly decreasing to 31.03 °C in 2024, potentially influenced by increased rainfall. However, hotspots of elevated LST persist, indicating sustained thermal stress. The urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI) showed worsening ecological conditions, particularly in densely urbanized zones. The study highlights the pressing need for integrating urban heat island (UHI) considerations into urban planning, as elevated urban temperatures threaten public health and escalate energy consumption. Additionally, the research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), emphasizing the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. By providing policymakers with key UHI indices, this study contributes to climate-resilient urban environments, mitigating heat risks through green infrastructure and sustainable urban design.