Analyzing the effectiveness of urban water bodies in mitigating Urban Heat Island using geo-statistical methods

Urban water bodies significantly contribute to mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, particularly during hot summer months. However, most studies have primarily focused on large water bodies, often overlooking the role and efficiency of smaller or medium-sized artificial ones. This study addresses this gap by examining the cooling performance of water bodies across different spatial contexts. While previous research has explored temperature reduction and cooling distances, key metrics such as cooling efficiency and the threshold value of efficiency remain underexplored, especially for smaller features. Moreover, recent findings suggest that cooling outcomes vary by climate, emphasizing the importance of climate-zone-specific investigations, particularly in hot arid regions, where cooling is closely linked to low humidity and high evapotranspiration. Effective landscape management can further enhance the arrangement of water bodies and surrounding land cover to mitigate the effects of climate change. This research employs kernel density theory and geostatistical tools using Landsat 8 imagery, Python, R, Arc- GIS, and SPSS to analyze the spatial decay of water-induced cooling. Regression analysis indicates that larger water bodies extend their cooling effect proportionally. However, in compact urban environments, optimal cooling may be achieved through strategically arranged smaller lakes or geometrically simple artificial water features. Integrating water bodies into broader urban ecosystems supports alignment with environmental sustainability goals.