Modelling urban heat mitigation by green space augmentation in arid plateau region using InVEST urban cooling model

Abstract

Climate change poses a serious threat to urban environments worldwide, particularly in the arid plateau regions. Thus, it is essential to investigate the effect of urban heat islands (UHIs) and prepare a heat mitigation plan for these sensitive regions. In this study, the InVEST-urban cooling model (UCM) was employed to prepare an urban heat mitigation plan using green space augmentation in Jhansi, a city in the Bundelkhand Plateau of India. The InVEST-UCM comprehensively estimates urban cooling capacity based on variables such as tree shade, evapotranspiration, and albedo. Furthermore, the scenario analyses were incorporated based on the land use/land cover (LULC) modifications at 5% and 10% augmentations. The mean air temperature exhibits marginal variation; the mean cooling capacity (CC) notably increased from 0.266 in 2022 to 0.304 in 2028. The approach could assist researchers and policymakers in forming appropriate measures to tackle the UHI effect in growing cities in arid plateau regions.