Analysis of Urban Heat Island Phenomenon in Fayoum Governorate Using Google Earth Engine and Terra-MODIS Satellite Technology

The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon is characterized by an increase in air and surface temperatures within urban areas, compared to the surrounding rural regions. The temperature increment can be severe, posing a considerable health risk, particularly in warm developing nations, where most of the world's large cities are found. While past studies have examined UHI effects using local sensors, satellite data has enabled analysis at the city scale. However, limited storage and computational resources have limited long-term investigations. This study employs remote sensing technology, specifically the Terra-MODIS satellite, to investigate UHI effects. The study focuses on urban areas in EI-Fayoum Governorate, utilizing imagery data from 2005 to 2020 to estimate land surface temperature (LST) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The findings reveal that impervious surfaces have a positive correlation with mean LST, while green surfaces have a negative correlation. This research highlights the potential of remote sensing technology in studying UHI effects on a long-term basis, and it underscores the significance of implementing green infrastructure in urban planning to mitigate the adverse impacts of UHI. Moreover, the results suggest the need to monitor LST in urban areas continues to identify areas requiring green infrastructure and to assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.