Dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other heat-absorbing surfaces create the phenomenon known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This effect results in urban areas experiencing significantly warmer temperatures than surrounding rural areas
. The UHI effect occurs because these urban surfaces absorb and retain solar heat during the day and release it slowly at night, limiting cooling and causing temperatures in cities to remain elevated. Materials like concrete and asphalt have high heat capacities and absorb more solar radiation than natural landscapes, which are often shaded and cooled by vegetation and moisture evaporation. The geometry of urban layouts, including tall buildings and narrow streets, also traps heat and reduces airflow, further amplifying warming
. Additional heat is generated by human activities such as vehicle traffic, air conditioning, and industrial processes, which emit waste heat that contributes to the urban heat island effect
. In summary, the dense built environment combined with heat-absorbing materials and human-generated heat creates urban heat islands that increase temperatures in cities compared to nearby rural areas
