Assessing the impact of land use land cover change and urbanization on urban heat island through remote sensing and geospatial techniques in Jhansi, India (2001−2021)

Urbanization significantly influences the local climate of a city, giving rise to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon and affecting the quality of human life. The UHI is characterized by elevated temperatures in urban areas, a condition exacerbated by the impacts of global warming and urban growth compared to the outlying regions, posing a significant urban challenge resulting from human activities. The present study focuses on Jhansi, with the aim of analysing the formation of UHI in the region. The research employs a multidimensional approach, which includes analysing the dynamic changes in land use land cover (LULC) and fluctuations in urban surface temperature in Jhansi as well correlation analysis is determined using remote sensing and meteorological data through geographic information system (GIS) analysis. The LULC was found to have an impact on the land surface temperature's (LST) spatial distribution. The built-up area was expanded from 7 % which is 25.13 km² in 2001 to 26 % which is 87.47 km² in 2021. Furthermore, because of urbanization, decreased greenery, conversion of natural surfaces to impervious structures and city growth, the LST values in the central region of the city in 2021 were higher than in 2001 and 2011. Moreover, crops and vegetation were found to have the lowest LST, followed by waterbodies. The findings also revealed that there was a 1.51 overall increase in UHI intensity from 2001 to 2021. These findings promote sustainable development by assisting policymakers and urban planners in developing efficient mitigation and adaptation plans that lessen the UHI effects. The study provides an in-depth understanding of the origins and growth of UHI within the specific context of Jhansi, providing new insight into the complex dynamics of the UHI issues. The resilience and sustainability of urban areas can be enhanced by employing this information as a foundation for thoughtful decision-making.