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The role of tree landscape to reduce effects of urban heat islands: a study in two Brazilian cities

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Abstract

The growth of large cities has, in its relationship with the natural environment, caused environmental impacts that have severely transformed the local climate and influenced human well-being. The purpose of this research was to examine the variation of temperature using remote sensing, seeking to identify urban heat islands and the spatial distribution of the green infrastructure, focusing on urban trees. Curitiba was selected for this study, because the city received in 1990 the United Nations Environment Program award and is considered the “Ecological Capital” of Brazil. On the other hand, São Paulo was selected, because it is the largest city in South America. Landsat satellite images on vegetation coverage and urban thermic comfort index methods were used to track the hotter regions and greenery all over the cities. The benefits of urban trees were also estimated by i-Tree Canopy with regard to improve air quality. Besides protected areas, mainly where there are urban fragments of forest, some high-income neighborhoods are benefited by the green cover. The results highlighted that both cities, Curitiba and São Paulo, require effective governance practices to produce patterns of environmental justice, implementing green spaces in a balanced way for the population.

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Fig. 1
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Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/brazil/curitiba/climate

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Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/brazil/curitiba/climate

Fig. 5

Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/brazil

Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Source: Authors from USGS—Curitiba scene 220-078, registered on 30th Dec 2019

Fig. 8

Source: Authors from USGS—São Paulo scene 219-076, dated 21st Jan 2019

Fig. 9

Source: Authors

Fig. 10

Source: Authors

Fig. 11

Source: Authors

Fig. 12

Source: Authors

Fig. 13

Source: Authors from i-Three Canopy website

Fig. 14

Source: Authors from i-Three Canopy website

Fig. 15

Source: Adapted from https://www.curitiba.pr.gov.br/conteudo/historico/2763

Fig. 16

Source: https://gestaourbana.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/marco-regulatorio/plano-diretor

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Data availability

All reconstructed map files are available from the first author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for financial support under the Project Number 2020/05383-9.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Nove de Julho, Rua Vergueiro, 235, São Paulo, SP, 01525-000, Brazil

    Andreza Portella Ribeiro, Anderson de Oliveira, Felipe Rakauskas, Tatiana Tucunduva Philippi Cortese, Maria Santiellas Costa Rodrigues & Cristiano Capellani Quaresma

  2. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Avenida Imaculada Conceição, 1155, Curitiba, PR, 80215-901, Brazil

    Andreza Portella Ribeiro & Harry Alberto Bollmann

  3. Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo, Estrada Municipal Pastor Walter Boger, s/n, São Paulo, SP, 13445-970, Brazil

    Maurício Lamano Ferreira

  4. Universidade de Guarulhos, Rua Engenheiro Prestes Maia, 88, Guarulhos, SP, 07023-070, Brazil

    Maurício Lamano Ferreira

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  1. Andreza Portella Ribeiro
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  2. Harry Alberto Bollmann
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Correspondence to Andreza Portella Ribeiro.

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Ribeiro, A.P., Bollmann, H.A., de Oliveira, A. et al. The role of tree landscape to reduce effects of urban heat islands: a study in two Brazilian cities. Trees 37, 17–30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02230-8

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