Multiscale Factors of Urban Heat Islands using Geomatics: Implications for Civil Engineering Education and practices for Mitigation of urban heat islands

Abstract. Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) are a significant urban climate phenomenon, exacerbating energy demand, air pollution, and public health issues. This research highlights the relevance of this approach for civil engineering education, emphasizing the importance of incorporating sustainable studies into curricula. For civil engineers, learning about UHI is not just about understanding the science behind these phenomena but it’s about applying their expertise to create solutions that lead to sustainable, resilient, and livable cities. By integrating UHI mitigation strategies into their projects, civil engineers with their actions and decisions can potentially contribute to reducing the negative impacts of urbanization and climate change. This study employs the knowledge of the Junior Students from the Civil Engineer Program from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, to apply the Local Climate Zones (LCZ) framework at a Level 1 and a multiscale approach to examine UHI dynamics across various spatial building scales, that go from microscale (building and street level) to mesoscale (neighborhood and city level) and/or regional scales. The findings underscore the potential for Civil Engineers Junior Students to design climate-resilient infrastructures that address UHI impacts, fostering sustainable urban development and better climate adaptation strategies.