URBAN HEAT ISLAND DYNAMICS IN RESPONSE TO LAND COVER CHANGE IN URBAN AREA: A CASE STUDY OF MEDIUM-SIZED CITY, MAJENE, INDONESIA

Abstract

The urbanization process often results in reduced green space, increased electricity consumption, and the use of fossil-fuel vehicles. It triggers urban heat islands (UHI)—a phenomenon characterized by increasing surface temperatures in urban spaces. This impacts thermal comfort, quality of life, and the environment. This study aims to identify UHI based on the land cover change in Majene Urban Area, a medium-sized city that acts as a center for educational activities in the province of West Sulawesi in Indonesia. Interpretation of satellite imagery in 2011 and 2022 was carried out to determine land cover changes, including built-up land, open land, agricultural vegetation, non-agricultural vegetation, and waters. Then, UHI is analyzed by measuring brightness temperature, normalized difference vegetation Index (NDVI), the proportion of vegetation, land surface emissivity, and land surface temperature. The UHI calculation is divided into four temperature classes: Non-UHI (<0°C), UHI I (0-2°C), UHI II (2-4°C), and UHI III (>4°C) to simplify the spatial analysis of affected areas. The results indicate that while land cover in Majene City has not changed significantly, UHI dynamics are evident in temperature class. This supports previous studies in larger cities, where increased built-up areas raise surface temperatures, though the effect is less pronounced in Majene. However, Majene still experiences temperature rises of over 4°C due to expanding land use for settlements, offices, and services. Therefore, it is crucial to develop strategies that balance built-up areas with green spaces and promote sustainable urban planning to mitigate the impacts of climate change.