Urban Heat Island (UHI) Implications and a Holistic Management Framework

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is one of the most debated phenomena among the urban researchers and city planners. In addition to fast urbanization, climate change actors are rendering major cites thermal hubs of the modern global civilization. Climate models consistently predict that the frequency, severity, and duration of extreme weather conditions which also include heat wave are on the increase and would be significantly by the end of the twenty-first century. Therefore, there is an emergent and urgent need to rethink the assessment and management of the UHI phenomenon. This study aims to establish the existing knowledge regarding UHI implications by categorically identifying and systematically grouping the factors and sub-factors that contribute UHI phenomenon. The aforesaid aim is based on the literature review, investigation of models, and the thematic analysis. Some new insights are produced by categorizing UHI implications into two main groups climate change and non-climate change related. This leads to a more comprehensive conceptualization of UHI at different tiers which is discussed and presented schematically. Founding on this conceptualization a new, integrated and holistic framework of the assessment and management of UHI is developed. The UHI framework is also schematically delineated. This UHI framework can be used as a basis for further research and development in the form of a ready-to-use/off-the-shelf tool for urban planners, decision-makers, and other associated stakeholders. The framework can also be communal platform of effective communication between diverse stakeholders with varying background and interests.