SPATIOTEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF LAND USE/LAND COVER (LULC) CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE IN KHARTOUM CITY, SUDAN

Abstract

Using a range of Landsat multi-spectral and thermal band series, this study examined the effects of land use land cover (LULC) changes on land surface temperature (LST) and estimated the intensity of the urban heat island (UHI) in Khartoum city, Sudan, from 1991 to 2021. To fulfil this, this study used the maximum likelihood method for image classification as well as correlation analysis. Between 1991 and 2021, urban land increased from 18.57 km² to 24.79 km², while vegetation decreased. The average temperature fluctuated between 1991 and 2021, reaching a high of 42.75°C in 2021. Overall, this study demonstrated that urbanisation and changes in LULC patterns impact the urban thermal environment, and that appropriate planning is required to reduce LST. The results of this study can be used by policymakers to lower urban temperatures, develop cities, and sustainably conserve the environment.