Abstract

In this paper, the interlinks between urbanization, the built environment and the thermal environment are recognized and assessed in view of smart and sustainable urban development. In particular Earth Observation data, in conjunction with census data and geographic information systems, are used in order to address the urban thermal environment, with emphasis to the state of the built environment and the presence and spatial distribution of thermal hot spots (small size areas with considerable and steadily higher temperatures within the urban web) at the district level. The analysis refers to the overall urban agglomeration of Athens (with emphasis to the City of Athens) and shows a thermal environment in pressure as a direct, among others, consequence of the high urban population density, the ageing of the building stock and the limited presence of green areas. In terms of Earth Observation, the analysis is based on satellite data of high and medium spatial resolutions, with the latter being improved through the application of a downscaling technique.