1. Urban Heat Island Impact and Precipitation Patterns in Indian Western Coastal Cities.
- Author
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Patil, Rachana and Surawar, Meenal
- Subjects
URBAN heat islands ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation ,URBANIZATION ,SURFACE temperature ,POPULATION density - Abstract
This article investigates the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and its interplay with precipitation patterns in the rapidly urbanizing western coastal cities of India. Focusing on the socio-economic dimensions of urbanization, it examines the consequences of increased surface temperatures due to altered urban landscapes and heightened anthropogenic activities. The study evaluates the correlations between UHI intensity, population density, and precipitation during summer and winter across multiple decades-- 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021--using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Findings indicate a robust positive correlation between surface temperature and population density in summer, with an inverse relationship to precipitation. In contrast, winter data shows an opposite trend, with unclear connections to population density, suggesting that other factors may significantly affect precipitation. The seasonal and temporal analysis of these correlations sheds light on the urban climate's complexity and informs urban planning strategies to mitigate adverse socio-economic impacts related to climate change. This study underscores the need for sustainable urban development practices that consider the intricate dynamics between urban growth and environmental transformations, highlighting the necessity for climate-responsive planning in the socio-economic development of Indian western coastal cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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