A Review of Urban Heat Island Effect and the Role of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient

Ran Bi

doi:10.54254/2755-2721/2026.KA28759

Applied and Computational EngineeringOpen access

A Review of Urban Heat Island Effect and the Role of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient

Research Article

Open Access

A Review of Urban Heat Island Effect and the Role of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient

Ran Bi ^1*

¹ Ulink college of shanghai

^*Corresponding author: ranbi0723@163.com

Published on 28 October 2025

ACE Vol.200

ISSN (Print): 2755-273X

ISSN (Online): 2755-2721

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-491-5

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-492-2

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Abstract

The urban heat island (UHI) effect represents a significant environmental challenge associated with rapid urbanization worldwide. This comprehensive review examines the intricate relationship between urban underlying surface properties and the UHI phenomenon, with particular emphasis on the pivotal role of the convective heat transfer coefficient(h_c). The paper systematically analyses how various urban surface materials, including asphalt, concrete, bricks, and vegetation, differentially influence local thermal environments through variations in their thermal properties and surface characteristics. The discussion focuses on the mechanisms through which these materials alter surface-atmosphere energy exchange processes, ultimately contributing to spatial heterogeneity in UHI intensity. Furthermore, this review explores the development of rapid assessment frameworks based on empirical relationships between material properties, surface roughness, wind speed, and convective heat transfer efficiency. These analytical frameworks facilitate rapid assessment of urban heat island (UHI) effects and furnish practical decision-support tools for urban planners and designers to select thermally optimal materials in urban development and renewal initiatives. The interdisciplinary implications spanning urban climatology, environmental physics, and urban planning are examined, along with future research directions for enhancing urban thermal environments and promoting sustainable urban development strategies.

Keywords:

Urban Heat Island (UHI), Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient, Urban Surface Materials, Surface–Atmosphere Energy Exchange

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References

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References

[1]. Mills, G. (2008). Luke Howard and the climate of London. Weather, 63(6), 153-157.

[4]. Oke, T. R. (1988). The urban energy balance. Progress in Physical geography, 12(4), 471-508.

[6]. Huang, K., Li, X., Liu, X., & Seto, K. C. (2019). Projecting global urban land expansion and heat island intensification through 2050. Environmental Research Letters, 14(11), 114037.

[8]. Yang, J., Zhao, L., & Oleson, K. (2023). Large humidity effects on urban heat exposure and cooling challenges under climate change. Environmental Research Letters, 18(4), 044024.

Cite this article

Bi,R. (2025). A Review of Urban Heat Island Effect and the Role of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient. Applied and Computational Engineering,200,57-62.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-MCEE 2026 Symposium: Advances in Sustainable Aviation and Aerospace Vehicle Automation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-491-5(Print) / 978-1-80590-492-2(Online)

Editor: Ömer Burak İSTANBULLU

Conference website: https://2025.confmcee.org/kayseri.html

Conference date: 14 November 2025

Series: Applied and Computational Engineering

Volume number: Vol.200

ISSN: 2755-2721(Print) / 2755-273X(Online)

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