URBAN HEAT ISLAND

Rapid urbanization and land-use modification have intensified surface temperatures in many developing cities, including Benin City, Nigeria. This study assessed the spatio-temporal variations in Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity in Benin City from 2014 to 2024, and examined the relationship between land-cover changes and surface thermal patterns using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Landsat satellite imagery was processed to derive LST, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Land-Use/Land-Cover (LULC) maps. Change detection analysis, raster differencing, and statistical evaluation were used to quantify temperature variations, land-cover transitions, and UHI development. Results showed a noticeable increase in surface temperature over the study period, particularly within built-up areas where expansion and conversion of vegetated land were observed. Vegetation loss weakened natural cooling functions, while the growth of impervious surfaces contributed to higher thermal retention. Correlation analysis further confirmed a strong negative relationship between NDVI and LST, indicating that areas with dense vegetation experienced significantly lower temperatures. UHI hotspots intensified within densely urbanized zones, reflecting the impact of urban growth on thermal conditions. The study concludes that urbanization in Benin City is a major driver of increasing surface temperature and strengthening UHI effects. It emphasizes the need for sustainable urban planning strategies, including urban greening, heat-responsive development, and environmental regulation, to enhance thermal comfort and climate resilience. Findings provide valuable geospatial insight for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental stakeholders in promoting climate-adaptive development within the city