Surface Urban Heat Island Effect Intensifies Heat Stress in Residents

Given the increasing severity of the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) phenomenon, urban residents faced heightened heat stress. Consequently, mitigating the effects of SUHI became critically important to improve urban livability. However, there is a notable deficiency in research pertaining to the effects of SUHI on the health of urban populations. This study analyzed 717 cities globally to examine the interplay between SUHI and heat stress, including potential contributing factors. Our study revealed that arid cities were subjected to more intense thermal stress challenges, while equatorial cities exhibited a higher ratio of heat stress risk. Despite the absence of severe heat stress in cities with snow zone, there was a notable correlation between heat stress and SUHI, indicating a potential exacerbation of this issue in the future. This study provided key insights for precise urban climate adaptation and sustainable planning in cities.