Assessment of Urban Heat Island Patterns in Bangkok Metropolitan Area Using Time-Series of LANDSAT Thermal Infrared Data

Abstract

Bangkok is a rapidly expanding city with existing natural areas being replaced by developed areas creating an urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon in the city. LANDSAT imagery, near-infrared wavelength data, and time series information were used to study and to monitor the phenomenon of surface urban heat island (SUHI) in Bangkok. The variation of land surface temperature (LST) and the urban heat island intensity (UHII) phenomenon during 2008-2014were investigated and the relationship between the UHII phenomenon and urban sprawl in Bangkok was studied. Using the UHII, we compared nine LST images of the investigated areas defined as inner, urban fringe and suburb zones. The UHI in Bangkok in the winter (dry) is higher than in the summer. Satellite imageries were used to classify the land use types asopen spaces with high-rise buildings, very high density of buildings and high-rise buildings. Low vegetation index was found in urban fringe areas and inner city area with high surface temperature. The vegetation index value is high in areas of agricultural land, and low density building, it appears in suburb areas with low surface temperature. The results indicate that NDVI and High-rise building zones influence LST distribution and UHII phenomenon.