Assessment of land surface temperature dynamics in Tashkent (2000–2024): a spatiotemporal analysis based on satellite data
Аннотация
Urbanization alters the thermal characteristics of cities and amplifies the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which has implications for environmental sustainability and human well-being. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal variability of Land Surface Temperature (LST) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, between 2000 and 2024 using multi-temporal Landsat imagery and geospatial techniques in ArcGIS Pro. LST and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were extracted to evaluate thermal dynamics and vegetation changes across the city’s 12 administrative districts. The results indicate a persistent increase in LST over the 24-year period, with maximum intensification in the central and eastern districts, particularly Mirabad, Yashnabad, and Shaykhontohur. Concurrently, NDVI values declined across most districts, reflecting substantial vegetation loss, especially in urban cores characterized by dense built-up areas. In contrast, peripheral districts such as Bektemir and Yangihayot remained relatively cooler, underscoring the role of vegetation and lower construction density in regulating surface heat. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong inverse relationship between LST and NDVI, emphasizing the importance of urban green cover in mitigating thermal stress. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based urban planning strategies, including green infrastructure development and vegetation restoration, to reduce heat exposure and enhance climate resilience in rapidly expanding dryland cities such as Tashkent.