Analysis of the Relationship Between Urban Characteristics and Heat Islands in Wadi El-Natrun City Between 2005 and 2025: A Case Study Using Remote Sensing

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Fayoum university faculty of art - geography

2 Faculty of Arts , FayoumUniversity

Abstract

The phenomenon of urban heat islands is a prominent environmental issue that reflects the negative impacts of rapid urban expansion on local climatic systems. In this context, the study analyzes thermal variations in Wadi El-Natrun from 2005 to 2025. The results indicate that hotspots are concentrated along a northwest-southeast axis, aligning with the Wadi El-Natrun–Alamein Road north of the city, highlighting the influence of infrastructure and human activities on thermal distribution. Additionally, the findings reveal a significant temperature increase of 2.5°C, along with a doubling of the area covered by high and very high-intensity heat islands during the first decade of the study, expanding from 7.6 km² in 2005 to 16.6 km² by 2025. The study confirms a direct correlation between urban expansion and the intensification of heat islands, as the city's built-up area grew from 4.2 km² in 2005 to 8.7 km² in 2025, extending between the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road in the east and the historic core around the Natron Salts Factory in the west, with an accelerating annual growth rate. Based on these findings, the study recommends enhancing afforestation along road networks, particularly in areas with low vegetation cover, to mitigate the impact of heat islands. Additionally, it emphasizes the adoption of sustainable planning approaches when establishing new industrial facilities, particularly around Sadat City, to minimize environmental impacts.

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