Effect of Land Use on Daytime Climatic Comfort in High-Rise Urban Developments in Delhi

This research offers valuable insights into the relationship between land use and daytime climatic comfort in high-rise urban developments in Delhi. This city is navigating rapid urbanisation and facing critical environmental challenges like pollution, heat stress, land degradation etc. The study aims to enhance understanding of how diverse land use patterns influence thermal comfort by utilising satellite data from the Landsat/Resourcesat series for classification and MODIS for land surface temperature (LST) extraction. The findings highlight that regions with dense construction and limited green and blue spaces tend to experience lower levels of climatic comfort, with 17.17 Percent of Delhi's geographical area feeling the adverse effects of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. On a positive note, 40.20 Percent of the area is associated with high climatic comfort, primarily due to natural features such as vegetation and water bodies. Furthermore, the research indicates a noteworthy increase in land surface temperatures (LST) from 2000 to 2022, with peak recorded temperatures rising from 38.35°C in 2000 to 47.27°C in 2022. In summary, this study emphasises the importance of understanding and addressing the UHI effect in urban settings, providing constructive recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders dedicated to fostering improved livability and sustainability in urban environments.