Spatio-temporal analysis of urban temperature in Bandung City, Indonesia

This study presents an evaluation of urban micro-climate about the exsistence level urban vegetation, in association with the urban temperature (surface temperature) and urban built-up area of Bandung City. The changes in urban vegetation cover, urban temperature, and urban built-up area observed using Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM + bands were evaluated on the basis of the WDRVI (Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Indices), NDBI (Normalized Difference Built-up Index), and SAVI (Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index). It was found that, due to the uncontrolled urban growth and the removal of urban vegetation cover and urban green space, there was a significant increase in urban temperature, in NDBI, but a decrease in WDRVI. The maximum urban temperatures, NDBI, and the minimum values of WDRVI indices were established in 2009. Therefore the results indicate a significant effect of higher density of impervious surfaces coverage (urban built-up area) contributing significantly to the increase of urban temperature. Again the results also confirm that urban vegetation landscape coverage in the surrounding of industrial area reduced the urban temperature. Based on the results, we recommend the city government to provide more urban green space by cooperating with private land owner, in order to decrease urban temperature and create a healthier living environment for urban inhabitants.