Urban heat islands 'increasing faster' in poorer cities
17/04/25
By: Mohammed El-Said
[CAIRO] Cities in low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a surge in urban heat island effects, driven by unplanned urban expansion, shrinking green spaces, and poor infrastructure, according to new analysis.
Researchers say the phenomenon is worsening the impacts of climate change and compounding social inequalities in urban areas, where more than half the global population currently resides – a figure projected to increase to around 70 per cent by 2050.
The urban heat island effect occurs when dense urban areas, dominated by heat-retaining materials such as concrete and asphalt, trap more heat than their rural surroundings.
A study published in the journal Urban Sustainability analysed surface urban heat island intensity trends across more than 5 million urban grids globally between 2003 and 2018.
It found that urban areas are heating up at an average rate of 0.021 degrees Celsius per year, with low- and middle-income countries seeing the most pronounced net increase.
More:
https://www.scidev.net/global/news/urban-heat-islands-increasing-faster-in-poorer-cities/