Mapping the Heat: A Landsat-Based Imagery Analysis of Land Surface Temperature and Land Cover Change in Zamboanga City

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Aldrin A. Cabigon, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Joaquin Angelo G. Chan, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Jamille Izella C. Chua, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Harvey Gerald P. Cordero, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Vea Conceza R. Lucero, De La Salle UniversityFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Sustainability, Environment, and Energy (SEE)

School Name

De La Salle University

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Ocampo, Shirlee, R.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

Online - https://zoom.us/j/92594857524 Meeting ID: 925 9485 7524 | Passcode: research

Abstract/Executive Summary

Urbanization has significantly altered land use and environmental conditions, contributing to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This study examines the relationship between land use/land cover (LULC) changes and land surface temperature (LST) in Zamboanga City, Philippines, using Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from 1999 and 2019. The research aims to compare LULC changes over twenty years and determine the correlation between vegetation (NDVI), built-up intensity (NDBI), and LST. A quantitative approach was applied using Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery. Methodology included retrieval of indices and supervised classification through the Maximum Likelihood algorithm through QGis. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess relationships between NDVI, NDBI, and LST. Results indicate that the mean LST rose from 33.4°C to 33.9°C. During this period, built-up areas expanded by approximately 22.82 sq. km, barren land increased by 16 sq. km, while vegetation cover declined by 40 sq. km. Correlation analyses revealed a strong positive relationship between LST and NDBI (r = 0.61 in 1999; 0.52 in 2019) and a moderate negative relationship between LST and NDVI (r = -0.48 in 1999; -0.33 in 2019). These findings support the idea that urban expansion is the most significant factor in rising surface temperatures, as heat-absorbing infrastructure replaces vegetation, which has a higher albedo. This highlights the impact of urban expansion on thermal conditions and emphasizes the need for climate-resilient strategies, including green infrastructure, sustainable materials, and balanced urban planning.

Keywords

land use/land cover; surface temperature; satellite imagery; correlation; remote sensing

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes