Assessing SUHI dynamics in Italian Cities using ECOSTRESS data

This study examines the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect, characterized by elevated land surface temperatures in urban areas compared to their surrounding rural environments. SUHI is a key indicator of anthropogenic environmental changes, with significant implications for urban climate and sustainability. A comparative analysis on several Italian metropolitan cities is conducted using high-resolution satellite data, notably from ECOSTRESS, to capture the diurnal and seasonal thermal dynamics of SUHI. ECOSTRESS provides a high horizontal spatial resolution of 70m along with continuous thermal cycle observations, enabling a detailed assessment of SUHI intensity and variability. Remote sensing data are integrated with the Corine Land Cover (CLC) classifications and detailed urban geometry to assess SUHI intensity gradients across different levels of urbanisation.

Through a long-term analysis, this study evaluates the feasibility of using ECOSTRESS data to assess SUHI dynamics across different temporal scales. The extensive datasets make it possible to study the impacts of heat waves on various urban fabrics, identifying the areas which are most vulnerable to excessive overheating.

This study provides valuable insights into urban thermal dynamics by enhancing the understanding of SUHI mechanisms and their spatiotemporal variability. It also offers a scientific foundation for urban planning and policymaking by identifying key areas for targeted mitigation, such as the implementation of green infrastructure and climate-responsive urban design, tailored to improve urban resilience to climate change.

 

This work is supported by: Progetto “RETE - Resilience of the Electric Transmission grid to Extreme events” (PNRR innovation grants) (CUP F83C22000740001);

The first author acknowledges the PON “Ricerca e Innovazione 2014–2020—Asse IV”—PhD course in “Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali”–XXXVII cycle-University of Salento.