Planning cooler cities through integration of UAV thermal imagery and GIS in local climate zone studies

Urban microclimates result from complex interactions between buildings, vegetation, and human activities, impacting energy consumption, air quality, and urban planning. Understanding and mapping these microclimates is essential for sustainable city development. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial role in analyzing microclimate patterns by integrating spatial datasets such as land cover, building heights, and meteorological data. This study examines urban microclimates in İzmir's Konak District using GIS and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with thermal sensors. By classifying Local Climate Zones (LCZs) and analyzing their relationship with land surface temperatures (LSTs), the research highlights how urban morphology shapes microclimatic conditions. The study area was divided into 2,435 grids, with UAV-based thermal imaging providing high-resolution temperature data. Findings indicate that LCZs with high impermeable surface fractions (e.g., LCZ 7, LCZ 8, and LCZ E) exhibited elevated temperatures, while vegetated or water-rich zones (e.g., LCZ B and LCZ G) demonstrated cooling effects. The Heat Load Map identified 8.8% of the district as experiencing excessive heat, while 21.7% benefited from optimal thermal conditions due to green and blue spaces. This study underscores the importance of increasing vegetation and permeable surfaces to mitigate urban heat islands (UHIs). By integrating UAV technology with GIS, it advances LCZ-based urban climate research and provides practical tools for climate-responsive planning. Understanding microclimates in dense urban areas enables targeted strategies to reduce heat stress, improve air quality, and enhance urban livability.