EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF URBAN HEAT ISLAND MITIGATION STRATEGIES USING OPEN-SOURCE DATA AND ASSESSING THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN TEHRAN

In the long term, the rapid expansion of urban zones, especially in megacities, has given rise to several recurring natural challenges. One of the most notable impacts is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which not only influences the local climate but also contributes to a range of related urban and environmental issues. This study examines the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon, a fundamental natural issue in rapidly growing urban areas, by analyzing its intensified spatial patterns and potential mitigation measures within the specific context of Tehran’s megacity. Fast technological progress, combined with increasing resource use, has driven urban areas to exhibit higher discuss temperatures than adjacent rural areas in several regions, thereby exacerbating environmental, public health, and ecological risks. This investigation presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on Urban Heat Islands (UHIs). It utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in conjunction with additional detection methods to survey the spatial and geographical variations of UHIs in Tehran. Utilizing information from satellite imagery, Landsat 8, MODIS, and Sentinel-2, then based on which data is better for investigation, employs indicators such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) to evaluate changes in urban vegetation cover and their subsequent impact on Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. Through the application of spatial explanatory methods, this study identifies urban warm hotspots, distinguishes the most vulnerable areas, and analyzes key drivers, including land utilization and land cover, elevation, and population density, that influence the intensity of the Urban Heat Island (UHI). It also assesses a suite of cutting-edge relief measures, with a specific emphasis on green infrastructure arrangements. This is achieved by extending our understanding of UHI behavior in Tehran, an original arid-to-semi-arid megacity, and providing significant proposals for policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders. This investigation develops practical, data-driven methodologies that address the specific needs of rapidly expanding cities. These measures aim to bolster economic advancement and enhance natural resilience as urban development and climate change continue. The aerial measurements and analyses conducted in this research in Tehran address one of the few considerations in this area, with limited comparative inquiries already undertaken.