Towards Sustainable Urban Development: Analysing the Relationship between UHI and Population Density in Batam

Abstract:

This study investigates the relationship between the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon and population density on Batam Island, Indonesia, a rapidly urbanizing industrial hub. Accelerated urbanization has increased population and building density, intensifying UHI effects and challenging sustainable development. Using Landsat 8 satellite imagery from 2013, 2018, and 2022, temperature variations were analyzed to identify areas most affected by UHI. Population density was calculated using district administrative boundaries from the Geospatial Information Agency and population data from Statistics Indonesia. A model was developed to explore the correlation between UHI and population density, highlighting urbanization's impact on rising temperatures. The findings provide critical insights for local environmental policy and sustainable urban planning. Analysis of 30 data points revealed differing correlation strengths between UHI and population density (0.495) and LST and population density (0.611), indicating that while urbanization affects both UHI and LST, LST is more directly influenced by land cover changes. UHI effects, however, may be shaped by urban morphology. The study contributes to strategies for mitigating environmental impacts and promoting sustainable urban growth on Batam Island.

• Periodical: Engineering Headway (Volume 27)
• Pages: 672-684
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-kVDXc5
• Online since: October 2025
• Authors: Luthfiya Ratna Sari*, Dede Tyo Junaika, Lina Adi Wijayanti
• Keywords: Land Surface Temperature (LST), Population Density, Spatial Analysis, Urban Heat Island (UHI), Urbanization

References

[1] Pusbang BP Batam, Kepri Province With the Largest Influx of Migration, Overtaking Jakarta Due to Employment Opportunities in Batam, available at: https://Pusbang.Bpbatam.Go.Id/Detailpost/Kepri-Provinsi-Dengan-Migrasi-Masuk-Terbesar-Mengalahkan-Jakarta-Karena-Adanya-Kesempatan-Kerja-Di-Batam (accessed May 11, 2023).

[2] BPS Kota Batam, Official Statistical Report of the 2020 Population Census Results, BPS Kota Batam, Batam, 2021.

[3] S.P. Darlina, B. Sasmito, B.D. Yuwono, Analysis of Urban Heat Island Phenomenon and Its Mitigation (Case Study: Semarang City), J. Geodesi Undip, (2018).

[4] D.M. Yow, Urban heat islands: Observations, impacts, and adaptation, Geogr. Compass 1 (2007) 1221-1256.

[5] M. Santamouris, Recent progress on urban overheating and heat island research, J. Build. Eng. 29 (2020) 101306.

[6] IPCC, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2021.

[7] M.L. Imhoff, P. Zhang, R.E. Wolfe, L. Bounoua, Remote sensing of the urban heat island effect across biomes in the continental USA, Remote Sens. Environ. 114 (2010) 504-513.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2009.10.008

[8] W. Zhou, G. Huang, M.L. Cadenasso, Does spatial configuration matter? Understanding the effects of land cover pattern on land surface temperature in urban landscapes, Landsc. Urban Plan. 102 (2014) 54-63.

DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.03.009

[9] P.K. Diem, C.T. Nguyen, N.K. Diem, et al., Remote sensing for urban heat island research: Progress, current issues, and perspectives, Remote Sens. Appl. Soc. Environ. 33 (2024) 101081.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rsase.2023.101081

[10] Q. Weng, Thermal infrared remote sensing for urban climate and environmental studies: Methods, applications, and trends, ISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote Sens. 64 (2009) 335-344.

DOI: 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2009.03.007

[11] S. Peng, S. Piao, Z. Zeng, P. Ciais, L. Zhou, L.Z.X. Li, et al., Surface urban heat island across 419 global big cities, Environ. Sci. Technol. 46 (2012) 696-703.

DOI: 10.1021/es2030438

[12] R. Lukiawan, E.H. Purwanto, M. Ayundyahrini, Standardization of Geometric Correction for Medium-Resolution Satellite Images, J. Standardisasi 21 (2019) 45-54.

[13] N.I. Fawzi, Measuring Urban Heat Island Using Remote Sensing: A Case Study in Yogyakarta City, Globë Sci. J. 19 (2017) 195-206.

[14] Z. Qin, W. Li, M. Gao, H. Zhang, Estimation of land surface emissivity for Landsat TM6 and its application to Lingxian Region in north China, Remote Sens. Environ. Monit. GIS Appl. Geol. VI 6366 (2006) 292-299.

DOI: 10.1117/12.689310

[15] R. Kurnianti, D.H. Rahmi, Availability of Green Open Space and Urban Heat Island in Makassar City, J. Litbang Sukowati 3 (2020) 150-163.

[16] I. Hutasoit, Population Growth In Batam Municipality as the Frontier and Outermost Region at the Border Between Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia, J. Biometrics Popul. 12 (2023) 165-176.

DOI: 10.20473/jbk.v12i2.2023.165-176

[17] P. Mohammad, A. Goswami, Quantifying Diurnal and Seasonal Variation of Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity and its Associated Determinants across Different Climatic Zones over Indian Cities, GISci. Remote Sens. 58 (2021) 955-981.

DOI: 10.1080/15481603.2021.1940739

[18] H.K. Jabbar, M.N. Hamoodi, M.N. Al-Hameedawi, Urban heat islands: a review of contributing factors, effects and data, IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1129 (2023).

DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1129/1/012038

[19] G. Manoli, S. Fatichi, M. Schläpfer, et al., Magnitude of urban heat islands largely explained by climate and population, Nature 573 (2019) 55-60.

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1512-9