Urban Heat Island and Coastal Thermal Effects in Chabahar, Iran: A Spatiotemporal Study Using Landsat and NOAA Data

Urban Heat Island (UHI) is one of the most significant environmental consequences of rapid urbanization, particularly in cities undergoing extensive land cover transformation. In coastal cities, thermal patterns are additionally influenced by nearby marine environments, making UHI dynamics more complex than in inland regions. This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution of Land Surface Temperature (LST), Urban Heat Island intensity, and coastal thermal influence in Chabahar, a rapidly developing coastal city in southeastern Iran. Landsat imagery and NOAA Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data were used to analyze the thermal behavior of the study area over time. LST was retrieved from Landsat thermal infrared bands, while NDVI and NDBI were calculated to evaluate the influence of vegetation and built-up surfaces on surface temperature patterns. The results indicate that built-up and bare land areas exhibit the highest surface temperatures, whereas vegetated and coastal zones show relatively lower values. A clear thermal gradient is observed from the coastline toward inland areas, highlighting the moderating role of the Oman Sea. The findings suggest that urban expansion and increasing impervious surfaces have intensified thermal stress in Chabahar, while vegetation and coastal proximity contribute to temperature reduction. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating green infrastructure and climate-sensitive planning strategies into coastal urban development.

کلیدواژه ها:

Chabahar ، Coastal City ، Landsat ، Land Surface Temperature ، NDBI ، NOAA ، NDVI ، SST ، Urban Heat Island