Factors influencing urban heat island in Surabaya, Indonesia

Increased population and rapid urban development have raised the consumption of energy and affected to the urban environment. It creates the rising temperature in certain areas that is called urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. Mitigating UHI on the most influencing factors based on the characteristics of a certain city is important due to the effectiveness and efficiency of the purposing strategies. As a matter of fact, municipality and community are lack of awareness to the activities that worsening UHI in urban development. This research therefore analyzes significant factors influencing UHI in Surabaya city, one of the metropolitan cities in Indonesia. A mixed method using city development documents and statistical data related to (Urban Heat Island Intensity), changes in surface cover, use of air conditioning and greenhouse gases has been applied in this study. The results show that provision of green space, electricity consumption and use of asphalt are the significant factors that influence UHI in the city. Furthermore, consideration to development and management of environment related strategies and measures is being needed. Municipality can focus to implement or establish for emphasizing most significant factors. Hence, this result can be a reference to mitigate UHI in Surabaya or other cities with similar characteristics.