Towards Sustainable Urban Development: Analysing the Relationship between UHI and Population Density in Batam

This study investigates the relationship between the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon and population density on Batam Island, Indonesia, a rapidly urbanizing industrial hub. Accelerated urbanization has increased population and building density, intensifying UHI effects and challenging sustainable development. Using Landsat 8 satellite imagery from 2013, 2018, and 2022, temperature variations were analyzed to identify areas most affected by UHI. Population density was calculated using district administrative boundaries from the Geospatial Information Agency and population data from Statistics Indonesia. A model was developed to explore the correlation between UHI and population density, highlighting urbanization's impact on rising temperatures. The findings provide critical insights for local environmental policy and sustainable urban planning. Analysis of 30 data points revealed differing correlation strengths between UHI and population density (0.495) and LST and population density (0.611), indicating that while urbanization affects both UHI and LST, LST is more directly influenced by land cover changes. UHI effects, however, may be shaped by urban morphology. The study contributes to strategies for mitigating environmental impacts and promoting sustainable urban growth on Batam Island.