Land Use, Land Cover, and Population Density Impact on the Formation of Canopy Urban Heat Islands through Traverse Survey in the Nagpur Urban Area, India

Abstract

This paper discusses an observational study that explored the impact of land use/land cover, and population density on the formation of canopy UHI in Nagpur. The study aims to compare the canopy UHI hotspots and heat sinks with respect to urban land use/land cover, and population density as the prominent determinants in urban areas. Traverse surveys were carried during the summer and winter seasons, 2012–2014, to measure nocturnal mean canopy UHI intensity. The nocturnal mean canopy UHI intensity was observed as 2.14°C during summer and 2.36°C during winter traverse surveys within Nagpur. Canopy UHI effects were found to be most prevailing in high building density and high population density areas. Densely populated areas with less vegetation exhibited the highest canopy UHI hotspots and areas with the least canopy UHI are the heat sink spots. The impact of vegetation is negative because it weakens the canopy UHI effect. On the contrary, population density could strengthen the canopy UHI effect in this case study. The study concludes that changes in land use/land cover of any specific land parcel and their respective vegetation cover and population density distribution lead to canopy UHI formation in Nagpur, India, urban areas. There is a need to frame a strategic mitigation plan with respect to land use/land cover classes and population density distribution within Nagpur urban areas to avoid further formation of canopy UHI and achieve urban sustenance.