Detecting the role of urban green parks in thermal comfort and public health for sustainable urban planning in Delhi

Urbanization has significantly impacted the environment and urban life, with urban green spaces playing a crucial role in enhancing sustainability and public health. Urban Green Spaces (UGS) offer benefits such as temperature regulation, ecological services, and improved thermal comfort, while providing entertainment, culture, disaster avoidance, and ecological services. This study evaluates the cooling effects of UGS in mitigating the Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) phenomenon in Delhi, India, using satellite imagery to assess the Land Surface Temperature (LST) of 24 parks. We calculated the Park Cooling Intensity (PCI) by applying the mono-window algorithm. We found that parks larger than 1.55 hectares with dense vegetation and water bodies significantly reduced surrounding temperatures by up to 8.28 °C. The PCI effect was significantly influenced by park size, vegetation density, and the presence of water bodies, with larger parks and denser vegetation and water bodies demonstrating enhanced cooling capacity. These findings highlight the importance of integrating green spaces into urban planning as vital infrastructure for enhancing urban resilience, reducing heat-related health risks, and ensuring equitable access to public health benefits. The study also highlights the importance of addressing socio-economic disparities in park accessibility, which have significant implications for equitable urban development. This study emphasized the importance of formulating a strategic urban planning approach that focuses on green spaces' growth, conservation, and equitable allocation, thereby fostering eco-friendly, habitable, and robust urban environments.