Analysis of the urban thermal environment with LANDSAT data

Research was carried out with two dates of thermal satellite imagery and field climatic data in six high-rise housing estates in Singapore to investigate the relationship between satellite-derived values and the urban microclimate. GIS techniques were used to register the image data for two detailed study areas to digital plans of street and building outlines, including street canyons at different orientations to solar azimuth, and detailed comparisons between image data and urban morphology were undertaken. A method is described for enhancing the image spatial resolution to an appropriate level for evaluating the thermal character of individual streets, buildings and building complexes, and roadside trees. Field data obtained in two street canyons at the same time of year as the image data suggest a significant relationship between surface and air temperature and suggest that the satellite view of the high-rise urban environment in the study area is representative.