What is the urban heat island effect?

The urban heat island effect describes the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas. This occurs due to various factors such as the concentration of buildings, infrastructure, and human activities that absorb and retain heat. Surfaces in urban environments—like asphalt and concrete—absorb more heat from the sun compared to natural landscapes like forests or fields, which often have vegetation that can cool the air through evapotranspiration.

This temperature differential can have profound effects on local weather patterns, energy consumption, and even water quality, as these warmer urban temperatures can lead to increased water temperatures in nearby surface water bodies. Understanding this concept is crucial in fields such as urban planning and environmental science, where managing heat and its impacts on ecosystems and communities is essential for sustainability.