Effects of Urbanization on the Urban Heat Island of Kuala Lumpur City

This study focuses on the effects of urbanization on the intensity of the urban heat island of Kuala Lumpur. Two methodologies were combined to study the urban heat island of KL using weather station networks method and traverses survey method. The study shows that, the level of urbanization is proportional to the values of temperature registered. The relative humidity is affected by green or non green areas, as well as location and human activity. Furthermore, the study shows that, wind speed levels are inversely proportional to the level of urbanization. The study indicates that, the increase in the intensity of the UHI of Kuala Lumpur City is 1.5 oC. The study concludes that, the intensity of the UHI of the city is proportional to the commercial, road and rail reserves and inversely proportional to the open space, recreation a land agricultural/ fishery/ forest land use. Furthermore, the intensity of the UHI is also proportional to the population density, number of cars and motorcycles and inversely proportional to public transport vehicles. Thus, the study concludes that, the level of urbanization is directly proportional to the intensity of the UHI of the city.

Autorentext

Dr. Ilham SM. Elsayed currently is Academic Coordinator and Ass. Prof. at College of Engineering, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She received her BSc and MSc from faculty of engineering at University of Khartoum, Sudan. In December 2000, she managed to award a full-scholarship to perform a PGD in Environmental Management from the Netherlands