Change detection of urban heat islands and some related parameters using multi-temporal Landsat images; a case study for Cairo city, Egypt

• Land-cover changes over Cairo are mapped using Landsat TM multi-temporal images.
• Land surface temperature (LST) was retrieved from Landsat TM, ETM+ thermal bands.
• UHI magnitude and spatial distribution were identified from LST means.
• UHI and NDVI values were fluctuating, the highest recorded in 2013 image.
• LST and albedo values were higher over desert zones compared to built-up areas.

Cairo has a unique geographic location and is one of the highest built-up densities worldwide. This study attempts to map and detect changes in land-cover and heat islands over Cairo through three decades using multi-temporal Landsat TM satellite data. Five sub-scenes (1984, 1990, 2001, 2006 and 2013) were selected for summer daytime. A supervised classification was used to map land use/landcover and changes. Landsat bands were used to derive the albedo and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The thermal band was used to retrieve the land surface temperature (LST) and urban heat island (UHI). Results show that during the observed period, the city experienced a massive urban growth. The UHI was fluctuating, the highest value recorded was in 2013 image. NDVI mean values decreased probably due to weak management policies for green areas. Based on the observed images, the LST values were higher over eastern zones. The highest albedo values were recorded in the eastern desert zones. It was also noticed that the UHI intensity and spatial distribution were higher and more dominant in such zones compared the UHI in the dense built-up areas of the city.