This study examines the relationship between urban landscapes and land surface temperature at bus stops in Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado during two summer days. Changes in land cover, driven by increasing urban populations, has generated concern about increasing temperature in cities. Public transit riders are especially vulnerable to the health risks associated with extreme heat. Land surface temperature from Landsat and high resolution land cover imagery were used to examine how the composition and configuration of tree canopy, paved surfaces, and buildings influence urban heat. Results indicate that both composition and configuration are important considerations, however relationships vary depending on city and thermal conditions. Increasing tree canopy coverage or reducing paved surfaces and buildings are consistently associated with temperature mitigation. Conversely, tree canopy fragmentation and increased building density are associated with higher temperature. These relationships are more pronounced during extreme heat. While further research is necessary to establish causal relationships and explore human experience, this study supports informed urban heat mitigation strategies.
Cody Bingham (Thu,) studied this question.