Challenges in Characterizing and Mitigating Urban Heat Islands — A Role for Integrated Approaches Including Remote Sensing

Abstract

Over the last several decades, scientists have investigated urban influences on atmospheric conditions (Oke 1987). Much of this work has been conducted using historical climate records of urban and rural sites; doing spatial sampling in and around a given urban area with mobile transects and at instrumented tower sites; and using satellite and airborne remote-sensing technology. In the 21^st century, more and more people are moving to cities. Soon, cities will contain the majority of the Earth’s population. It is thus critical to maintain urban environments in sustainable ways that ensure acceptable levels of health, welfare, and safety of citizens. Scientists from many disciplines have converged upon several urban themes at the inter-disciplinary juncture of climate, meteorology, information technology, space technology, architecture, planning, and engineering of the built environment, in order to understand the interactions between a city and its overlying atmosphere. One major facet of this convergence could broadly be labeled “urban climatology.” This area of research has advanced knowledge at the nexus of climate and urbanization over the last several decades, but there are many challenges yet to be met, with the ultimate goal of applying scientific understanding to maintain sustainable urban environments and quality of life (e.g., Arnfield 2003, review of the field of urban climate).