Impact of Urban Environmental Indices on Surface Temperature in Dhaka: A Policy‐Oriented Perspective

ABSTRACT Dhaka's rapid urban expansion has intensified surface heating and degraded environmental quality. This study analyzes environmental indices from 2015 to 2025, revealing a strong positive relationship between built‐up growth and land surface temperature, and negative associations with vegetation and water presence. The mean surface temperature rose by approximately 1.52°C, showing a moderate positive correlation with population growth. The findings emphasize the need for climate‐responsive urban planning integrating blue–green infrastructure and adaptive zoning to mitigate thermal stress and enhance urban livability.