Geospatial Assessment of Urban Heat Island Intensity and Green Space Inequality in Durgapur Municipal Corporation Area, West Bengal: A Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Framework for Climate-Resilient Urban Planning

Abstract

Urbanization has significantly transformed the physical and environmental characteristics of cities, particularly through the expansion of built-up surfaces and the reduction and uneven distribution of vegetation. One important consequence of this transformation is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which can increase thermal stress and create environmental inequalities within urban areas. The present study focuses on the Durgapur Municipal Corporation Area of West Bengal and aims to assess the spatial intensity of UHI and examine inequalities in the distribution of urban green spaces using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The study integrates satellite-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), land use/land cover information, vegetation cover, and spatial indicators of green space distribution. GIS-based spatial analysis is used to identify variations in thermal conditions, vegetation availability, and environmentally vulnerable locations across the municipal area. Particular attention is given to the relationship between LST and vegetation characteristics in order to understand the potential cooling influence of urban green spaces. The analysis is also intended to identify areas where high surface temperatures coincide with inadequate green cover, thereby indicating priority zones for environmental intervention. The study ultimately proposes a geospatial framework for supporting climate-resilient urban planning, equitable green infrastructure development, and sustainable environmental management in Durgapur. The findings are expected to provide spatially explicit evidence that can assist planners and local authorities in identifying heat-vulnerable areas, strengthening urban vegetation networks, and improving the climate resilience and environmental sustainability of the rapidly developing industrial city.