Performance of Green Areas in Mitigating the Alteration of Land Surface Temperature in Urban Zones of Lima, Peru

Urbanization in large cities has altered the urban thermal balance, creating urban heat islands. In this context, green areas are crucial in regulating the urban climate. This study uses remote sensing data to evaluate their performance using the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and its impact on land surface temperature (LST) in Metropolitan Lima, Peru, between 1986 and 2024. The spatial and temporal relationship between FVC and LST is analyzed, and districts are classified based on their effectiveness in thermal regulation. The Mann–Kendall test was applied to identify trends along with a Spearman correlation analysis and a clustering analysis to group districts according to the cooling effectiveness of their urban green areas. The results show that urban expansion has increased LST by an average of 6.43 °C since 1990, and there is a significant negative correlation (p < 0.001) between FVC and LST, indicating positive impacts of vegetation regulating LST at a spatial level. However, it does not reduce LST at a temporal level. This suggests that, while effective locally, green areas are insufficient to counteract the overall warming of LST over time. Based on FVC and LST characteristics, the districts have been classified into four groups: those with well-preserved green areas, such as La Molina and San Isidro, which have a lower LST, compared to areas where urbanization has replaced vegetation, such as Carabayllo and Lurigancho (Chosica). Finally, this study highlights the importance of integrating green area management into urban planning to mitigate urban warming and promote sustainable development.