Using satellite imagery to investigate blue-green infrastructure establishment time for urban cooling

This study analyzes the feasibility of using satellite data to derive the Cooling Establishment Time (CET) for different Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI)s across the city of Zurich, Switzerland. The process of urbanization can alter the local climate to the point that it threatens citizens’ well-being by creating heat-related hazards

Results showed that remote sensing can quantify the land surface temperature impact of BGIs and assist in estimating their CET. BGI with trees or climbing plants required a longer CET (seven to ten years) before any notable shift in surface temperatures were visible, while grasses or artificial irrigated systems led to shorter CETs (one to three years). These results allow us to better account for BGI cooling establishment when planning for areas that need urgent action under warming climates.