Evaluating the Impact of Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation strategies in southeastern U.S. cities using high-resolution geospatial models
1 Department of Community and Regional Planning, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
2 Michigan State University, East Lasing, MI, USA.
3 Department of Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, U.S.A
4 Department of Geophysical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
Review
International Journal of Frontline Research in Engineering and Technology, 2025, 03(01), 001-006.
Article DOI: 10.56355/ijfret.2025.3.1.0022
Publication history:
Received on 28 May 2025; revised on 28 June 2025; accepted on 30 June 2025
Abstract:
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect significantly impacts cities in the Southeastern United States, exacerbating extreme heat events, increasing energy demand, and posing public health risks. As urbanization intensifies, mitigating UHI has become a critical focus for climate resilience planning. High-resolution geospatial models, including remote sensing, GIS-based spatial analysis, and urban climate simulations, provide essential tools for assessing the effectiveness of UHI mitigation strategies. These models enable detailed spatial analysis of land surface temperatures, vegetation cover, and urban morphology, offering insights into localized heat patterns and mitigation outcomes. This review examines key UHI mitigation strategies implemented in Southeastern U.S. cities, including urban greening, reflective surfaces, cool pavements, and water-based cooling systems. The effectiveness of these interventions is evaluated based on geospatial modeling studies, highlighting their potential to reduce surface temperatures and improve urban thermal comfort. Despite advancements in modeling techniques, challenges persist in data availability, policy implementation, and integrating mitigation efforts with broader urban planning initiatives. Key research gaps include the need for higher-resolution climate projections, improved validation of geospatial models using ground-based measurements, and comprehensive cost-benefit analyses of mitigation strategies. Future research should focus on enhancing model accuracy, exploring synergies between different mitigation approaches, and developing policy frameworks that promote sustainable urban heat management. By synthesizing recent research, this paper provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of geospatial models in UHI mitigation, offering insights to support adaptive urban planning and climate resilience in the Southeastern U.S.
Keywords:
Urban Heat Island; Uhi Mitigation; High-Resolution Geospatial Models; Remote Sensing; Southeastern U.S. Cities; Climate Resilience; Urban Planning
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