Effective Approach to Assessing and Mitigating Urban Heat Islands for Sustainable Regional Planning: Case Studies from Omdurman, Sudan

This chapter examines the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and the near-surface air temperature and the implications for sustainable urban and regional planning. The focus is on Urban Heat Islands (UHI) and their consequences for urban development. We analyzed satellite thermal images in conjunction with ground data from different land cover types in Omdurman, Sudan, to gain a clear understanding. We employed Landsat 8 satellite images and performed measurements using infrared thermometers to guarantee our temperature evaluations are extremely accurate. The study area covers approximately 700 square kilometers and includes a mixture of urban zones, industrial locations, farmland, dry terrains, and transit pathways. Owing to the inadequate quantity of weather stations, air temperatures were estimated using mathematical models based on regression analysis. To guarantee the precision of these models, we collected concurrent measurements of surface temperature and air temperature at multiple sites throughout the area. This helped us in honing and confirming our calculations. The study shows that air temperature significantly changes depending on the land cover. For example, constructed and sealed regions frequently seemed considerably hotter when analyzing land surface temperatures. Utilizing a blend of satellite imagery, GIS technology, and field measurements has proven useful for understanding urban climates. This information can greatly help us create better, more sustainable urban designs and plans to ensure cooler, more enjoyable cities.