Analysis of Heat-Related Illnesses Influenced by Urban Spatial Factors

As global warming intensifies, heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe. This study aims to empirically examine how urban spatial characteristics influence the incidence of heat-related illnesses. This study analyzes the relationships between heat-related illnesses and heatwaves, and between heatwaves and urban spatial structures. This helps identify the structural linkages between urban forms and heat-related health outcomes. Using Seoul’s administrative districts as the spatial unit of analysis, the study employs correlation and multiple regression analyses, treating the number of heat-related illness cases as the dependent variable and various urban spatial factors as the independent variables. The results reveal that social vulnerability, housing type, and impervious surface area significantly impact the incidence of heat-related illnesses. By contrast, green river streams and fiscal independence exhibit negative correlations, suggesting that nature-based infrastructure and local adaptive capacity mitigate heat-related health risks. These findings emphasize the necessity for targeted responses in high-density urban areas where impervious surfaces are expanding. The findings also highlight the need for effective urban disaster mitigation strategies that address high-density development, reflect local demographic structures, and expand green and waterfront areas.