Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics Effects on Urban Heat Islands: A Case Study of Dakar Region

This study aims to analyze the relationship between land use/land cover units and surface temperatures in the Dakar region. Indeed, the concentration of human activities and rapid urbanization have led to an intensification of urban heat islands. This phenomenon influences the city's climate, the rates and distribution of pollutants, the comfort of city dwellers, and the natural elements of cities. Therefore, the effect of urban heat islands is an urban data to be taken into consideration in the design, development and management of the city to create a healthier and more viable environment for the well-being of city dwellers. It is in this context that we initiated a study based on the analysis of land use/land cover dynamics over the period 1986-2023 integrating satellite data and Landsat images. To do this, we first calculated indices such as the surface temperature index (LST), the vegetation index (NDVI), and the built-up area index (NDBI), to quantify the impact of land use/land cover changes on heat islands; we then integrated an urban-rural gradient analysis to assess the variation of environmental parameters according to the distance from urban to rural areas. This provides an in-depth understanding of environmental dynamics and interactions between green spaces and built-up areas.