Impacts of green space decline on urban heat
in Huế City, Vietnam

Summary

Huế City is an urban area that is frequently affected by extreme weather events and natural disasters. Among these hazards, extreme heat is becoming increasingly severe due to the impacts of climate change. In addition to extreme climatic conditions, the process of urban development, resulting in increased concrete surface coverage and the reduction of green spaces and water bodies, also contributes to the worsening risk of extreme heat. This increases pressure and risk to public health, energy costs, and infrastructure capacity. In the context of Huế’s efforts toward developing a green and climate-adaptive city, it is particularly urgent to quantitatively assess the relationship between the decline in green spaces and changes in urban temperatures.

This report was conducted to analyze and evaluate the extent to which the reduction of green space has affected summer temperatures in Huế City during the period 2014–2024. The study is based on satellite imagery data (Landsat, Sentinel) and meteorological data. The findings provide scientific evidence to support green space planning, identify areas vulnerable to extreme heat, and propose solutions to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat in the future.

Impacts of green space decline on urban heat in Hue City, Vietnam (PDF)