High-resolution data for Urban Heat Island analysis: a case study in Turin's District 6

More frequent and intense heat waves are just one of the consequences of anthropogenic climate change. Cities are among the areas most exposed and vulnerable to heat, generating what is known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This phenomenon has been largely studied in recent years, especially using thermal sensors on satellites, but few studies investigate the phenomenon at the microscale, providing more accurate data. The present study aims to investigate the urban microclimate of a section of District 6 in the city of Turin on a day classified as a heatwave in August 2025, using airborne LiDAR and thermal infrared data at 1 m resolution. Among the primary objectives are to study the thermal response of different soil types during daytime and nighttime hours. Simultaneously, the study models, using a GIS-based approach, the variation in shading and solar irradiance received at ground level throughout the day, as well as estimates other geometric factors such as the Sky View Factor, which describes urban canyoning. These models derive from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) obtained from LiDAR surveys. The statistical analyses that are conducted on the same study area provide results consistent with those found in the literature and highlight the important role of shading and vegetation in decreasing surface temperatures during daytime hours. Using a dynamic shade optimisation approach, the study aims to provide various pedestrian routes to reach different areas of the study area, minimising sun exposure throughout the day. This can help increase thermal comfort and highlight the most vulnerable zones, known as hot spots, as well as the safe spots. Moreover, the study provides an easily replicable methodological approach to identify heat-vulnerable areas where mitigation measures can be adopted to reduce vulnerability.