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<p>Cities around the globe are facing the urban heat island (UHI) effect, driven by increased impervious surfaces, a reduction in green and blue spaces such as trees, parks, and water bodies, as well as anthropogenic heat, and others. Urban green spaces (UGS) and urban parks can effectively mitigate localized UHI and enhance urban thermal comfort by creating a cooling island effect. This study investigated: a) land surface temperature (LST) dynamics in Varanasi, India, over a span of 31&#xa0;years (1993–2024) using Landsat imageries; and b) the contribution of urban green spaces (UGS) and urban parks to the cooling effect in the city. High-resolution Google Earth imagery was utilized to locate the UGS and urban parks and to extract their internal land surface characteristics. Forty-three (43) UGS and urban parks were selected from various parts of the city for the study. The Cool Island Intensity (CII) index was employed to assess the cooling effect created by UGS and urban parks. Statistical techniques like correlation and regression analysis were also used to explore the relationships between LST, CII, and land surface characteristics. The findings of this study revealed that 1) the city experienced an upward trend in LST over the 31&#xa0;years. 2) UGS/urban parks had a cooling effect in the city (the 43 UGS/urban parks have CII of 0.66&#xa0;°C and 0.81&#xa0;°C with respect to two buffers that were equidistant and 200&#xa0;m, respectively). 3) In general, smaller parks are not effective in exhibiting cooling effects (CII of 0.06&#xa0;°C and 0.24&#xa0;°C with respect to equidistant and 200&#xa0;m, respectively). 4) The area, perimeter, and land surface features of the UGS/urban parks, including the percentage of water bodies and tree cover, showed a significant and positive correlation with CII, indicating their impact on urban cooling. The study concludes that urban local bodies should adopt a scientific approach to park management. They should also incorporate more green spaces into urban planning as a crucial strategy to maintain a healthy thermal environment and enhance the city's overall environmental sustainability.</p>

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Assessment of the cooling effect of urban green spaces (UGS) and urban parks in Varanasi City, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月2日

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  • Kiran Kumari Singh

摘要

Cities around the globe are facing the urban heat island (UHI) effect, driven by increased impervious surfaces, a reduction in green and blue spaces such as trees, parks, and water bodies, as well as anthropogenic heat, and others. Urban green spaces (UGS) and urban parks can effectively mitigate localized UHI and enhance urban thermal comfort by creating a cooling island effect. This study investigated: a) land surface temperature (LST) dynamics in Varanasi, India, over a span of 31 years (1993–2024) using Landsat imageries; and b) the contribution of urban green spaces (UGS) and urban parks to the cooling effect in the city. High-resolution Google Earth imagery was utilized to locate the UGS and urban parks and to extract their internal land surface characteristics. Forty-three (43) UGS and urban parks were selected from various parts of the city for the study. The Cool Island Intensity (CII) index was employed to assess the cooling effect created by UGS and urban parks. Statistical techniques like correlation and regression analysis were also used to explore the relationships between LST, CII, and land surface characteristics. The findings of this study revealed that 1) the city experienced an upward trend in LST over the 31 years. 2) UGS/urban parks had a cooling effect in the city (the 43 UGS/urban parks have CII of 0.66 °C and 0.81 °C with respect to two buffers that were equidistant and 200 m, respectively). 3) In general, smaller parks are not effective in exhibiting cooling effects (CII of 0.06 °C and 0.24 °C with respect to equidistant and 200 m, respectively). 4) The area, perimeter, and land surface features of the UGS/urban parks, including the percentage of water bodies and tree cover, showed a significant and positive correlation with CII, indicating their impact on urban cooling. The study concludes that urban local bodies should adopt a scientific approach to park management. They should also incorporate more green spaces into urban planning as a crucial strategy to maintain a healthy thermal environment and enhance the city's overall environmental sustainability.