Exploring the effects of urban heat island: A case study of two cities in Thailand and Indonesia

This study is part of a regional research project aimed at understanding the effects of Urban Heat Island (UHI) on urban residents. Using two case studies in Bangkok, Thailand and Bandung, Indonesia, the study focuses on the effects of UHI on household energy consumption and health and well-being. A survey questionnaire of 400 respondents from each city was employed. Household energy consumption is measured using a proxy variable of average monthly electricity consumption. UHI intensity is measured using a cooling degree days (CDD) variable constructed from the temperature difference between urban and suburban weather stations. The perceived health effect is measured by heat stress, physical health impacts, mental health impacts and health and well-being outcomes. The data are then analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The result indicates that the presence of UHI in Bangkok plays a significant role in household energy consumption. UHI is found to have a positive association with the ownership of air conditioning equipment in Bangkok and Bandung and is found to increase the monthly electricity bill. In terms of health effects, it is found that UHI affects health directly through heat stress and indirectly through lowering the health and well-being outcomes. Results from the two case studies indicate that UHI has affected the daily lives of urban residents in terms of increasing household energy consumption for cooling and disruption of activities such as working, sleeping, and general health and well-being. Bandung, Bangkok, Health and well-being, Household energy consumption, Sustainable urban development, Urban heat island