Geospatial Indicators for Urban Heat Risk: A Remote Sensing-Based Approach for Bhubaneswar

Rapid urbanisation and changing climate patterns have intensified heat stress in urban areas. Factors such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, population growth, land use changes, and inadequate green and blue infrastructure contribute to elevated temperatures. The objective of this study is to map heat risks in Bhubaneswar using geospatial indicators, showcasing the potential of open-source satellite imagery to enhance Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Our research methodology integrates satellite imagery and various geospatial data to analyse the drivers and indicators of heat risk based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5) framework considering Hazard, Exposure and Vulnerability. Comprehensive heat risk maps are generated for Bhubaneswar, an Indian tropical city increasingly experiencing extreme heat and escalating heatwaves. The risk map reveals distinct clusters, including a linear pattern along the railway line, mostly towards the eastern side and a prominent cluster in slum-dominated wards. These maps identify areas with increased exposure and vulnerability, providing valuable insights for developing targeted mitigation strategies. The outcomes of this research contribute to enhancing Heat Action Plan for Bhubaneswar and offer a scalable methodology for assessing heat risks in other cities. The developed framework can be readily applied, facilitating the integration of these assessments into HAPs. Moreover, the study emphasises future plans to collaborate with government authorities and disaster management agencies to incorporate on-ground socio-economic data, further refining the heat risk assessment process.