Mapping urban heat islands in Pune, India: ecological impacts and environmental challenges

Heat waves increasingly affect cities, amplifying the urban heat island (UHI) effect, often measured through land surface temperature (LST). In Pune, India, rapid urbanization between 2013 and 2022 has driven significant land use and land cover changes, with a staggering 89.24% increase in built-up areas and a decline of 991.4 km2² in vegetation cover. Using satellite remote sensing data processed via Google Earth Engine, this study reveals a pronounced rise in LST, with mean temperatures increasing from 27°C in 2013 to 36°C by 2022, and a notable expansion in regions experiencing temperatures between 25°C and 32°C. Additionally, N⁢O₂ levels slightly rose, further stressing environmental conditions. Central Pune was identified as a high-risk zone for adverse climatic impacts, emphasizing the urgent need for ecological conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable urban planning to mitigate the growing UHI effect amidst accelerating urbanization in Indian cities.