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This paper studies the impact of parks as an element of urban green infrastructure on regulating surface temperature in the semi-arid city of Tehran, Iran. Land surface temperature (LST) of parks and their immediate surroundings, derived from Landsat images of winter to autumn 2017, are analysed in two urban districts with different local climate zones and population density levels. The results show that the highest levels of cooling impact are observed in spring and summer for parks larger than 1 ha in the compact midrise setting. Although area and vegetation cover influence the impact of parks in all sizes, parks shape becomes important in parks larger than 1 ha in open built zones. To benefit from LST regulating services of park vegetation cover and facilitate achieving sustainable urban landscapes, it is recommended to opt for 1–10 ha parks, where possible, and improve vegetation cover inside parks, particularly in parks smaller than 1 ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is an attempt to consider some positive and negative aspects in regard to Tehran's physical and human environments. It is located in vicinity to historical town Rey. Rapid urbanization of this capital city was started since more than 1000 years ago. Unprecedented population load (11 million in 2007) distributed over 650 km2 is responsible for affecting its micro-climates. These phenomenal changes seem to favor the effect of Alborz, Dasht-e-Kavir and west winds in Tehran as well as the vegetation cover, specifically the urban green belts. The main purpose of this paper is to show the geographical and historical specifications of Tehran as a populated and polluted megacity in the Middle East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]