In the heart of Khulna City Corporation, a digital revolution is unfolding, one that promises to reshape our understanding of urban heat dynamics and offer a powerful tool for sustainable city planning. At the forefront of this innovation is Mohammad Ismail Hossain, a researcher from the Institute of Disaster Management at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology. His recent study, published in the journal Discover Cities (translated as “Exploring Cities”), delves into the intricate relationship between vegetation, land surface temperature, and the urban heat island (UHI) effect, using a cutting-edge approach known as the Digital Twin Framework.
Khulna, a rapidly growing coastal city, has been grappling with the impacts of urbanization and climate change. Hossain’s research aims to shed light on the thermal environment of the city, providing valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers. “Our study is not just about understanding the past and present; it’s about predicting the future and making informed decisions,” Hossain explains.
The Digital Twin Framework, a sophisticated integration of satellite data, spatial modeling, and visualization, has enabled Hossain and his team to analyze temporal trends, spatial diversity, and the complex relationship between vegetation and temperature. The findings are compelling. From 2010 to 2020, the summer land surface temperature (LST) in Khulna increased from 32.31°C to 33.90°C, while the winter LST remained relatively stable, with a slight decline in 2024. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), an indicator of vegetation cover, showed limited improvement, suggesting a loss of greenery due to urban sprawl.
The study’s spatial analysis revealed a stark contrast between the northern and southern parts of the city. The northern area, characterized by dense vegetation, experienced lower LST and UHI values. In contrast, the central and southern built-up areas, with less vegetation, faced increased heat. “The scatter plots showed a clear negative relationship between NDVI and LST and UHI,” Hossain notes. “This underscores the critical role of vegetation in cooling our cities.”
The implications of this research extend beyond urban planning. For the energy sector, understanding and mitigating the UHI effect can lead to significant energy savings. Cooler cities require less energy for cooling, reducing the demand on power grids and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the Digital Twin Framework offers a powerful tool for predicting urban heat dynamics, enabling energy providers to anticipate demand and plan accordingly.
Hossain’s work also highlights the urgent need for policies that promote urban greening, water protection, and climate-sensitive land use strategies. “Our findings underscore the pressing need for action,” he stresses. “We must mitigate heat stress in coastal cities facing rapid urbanization and the impacts of climate change.”
As cities around the world grapple with the challenges of urbanization and climate change, Hossain’s research offers a beacon of hope. The Digital Twin Framework, with its ability to integrate multiple data sources and provide valuable decision support, could well be the key to sustainable urban planning and climate adaptation. “This is not just about Khulna,” Hossain concludes. “It’s about every city, every community, and our shared future.”