Global patterns of urban heat shaped by climate and morphology

Key Points

• The aim is to examine how urban heat is influenced by climate and city morphology across different regions.
• Assessment of urban heat changes in 69% of cities globally
• Comparison between urban heat impacts in the Global South and Global North
• Identification of dominant drivers of urban heat
• Cities in the Global South show a stronger link between morphology and urban heat intensification
• Morphological drivers are more prominent in heat increases compared to climatic factors in specific regions
• Need for localized adaptation strategies highlighted to address urban heat challenges