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Human-Centered Urban Heat Island Intensity in Global Megacities: Nonlinear Response Patterns and Region-Specific
Zhiwei Yang1, Jian Peng1, Song Jiang2
1Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 9, 2025
Summary
Global megacities experience significant differences between traditional and human-centered urban heat island (UHI) intensity. Tailoring UHI mitigation strategies to city-specific factors is crucial for urban resilience.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Planning
- Climate Change Research
Background:
- The urban heat island (UHI) effect is intensifying globally, necessitating effective mitigation strategies.
- Traditional UHI assessment relies on physical indicators, potentially overlooking human impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate human-centered UHI intensity and its response to influencing factors in global megacities.
- To highlight the discrepancy between traditional and human-centered UHI assessments.
- To inform customized UHI mitigation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Shifted UHI intensity assessment from physical to human-related parameters.
- Analyzed the response of human-centered UHI intensity to influencing factor changes.
- Identified key elements shaping UHI intensity response patterns and thresholds.
Main Results:
- A significant discrepancy exists between traditional and human-centered UHI intensity (average absolute difference of 1.27°C).
- Identified three key elements: dominant influencing factor, response patterns (Type-I, -D, -P), and nonlinear thresholds.
- Distinct clustering patterns of these elements were observed in Eastern North America, East Asia, and Europe.
Conclusions:
- A human-centered perspective is essential for accurate UHI intensity assessment.
- Mitigation strategies must be customized based on city-specific key elements and regional patterns.
- This approach supports the development of resilient and sustainable urban environments.
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