Impact of Urbanization Growth on Land Surface Temperature using remote sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Gujranwala City, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Globally, urban temperature is gradually increasing day by day. The prominent climatic condition called
Urban Heat Island (UHI), is rising especially in the rapidly developed cities. Gujranwala a city of Punjab, Pakistan is
experiencing fast urbanization which has led to ultimately increase in the observable UHI. The objective of recent study
is to determine the effects of increasing urbanization on surface temperature and vegetation cover by different
techniques of remote sensing and GIS. For this purpose, different time series of Landsat images were selected through
which land surface temperature and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) has been calculated and urban
heat island effect is analyzed. It is found that built-up areas have high temperature as compared to vegetative areas.
Surface radiant temperature has increased up to 8 ˚C in Gujranwala due to urbanization. There is negative correlation
between NDVI and LST. Economic activities in study area have decreased the vegetated parts leading to an increase in
surface temperature and change in urban microclimate.

Keywords: LST, NDVI, urban heat island, geographical information system, remote sensing.