Analysis of trends of urban heat island and its drivers in Chengdu

Abstract

This paper, based on CBERS (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) and NOAA/AVHRR Satellite Remote Sensing Data and other information acquired in the summer of 2001 and 2006 respectively, came up with the following results: a) the urban build-up area in Chengdu widened by approximate 38%; b) the urban area under heat urban effects expanded whilst some areas witnessed abatement in the intensity of effects and industrial and commercial districts turned to be new spots of urban heat island; c) factors such as progress of urbanisation, change of urban structure, and increase in population and green area acted as drivers in the evolution of urban heat island.