Urban Heat Islands in Olomouc: A Geospatial Identification of Thermal Patterns, Urban Structure, and Human Perception

Annabelle Melanie KIEFER

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

This diploma thesis aims to develop a transferable geospatial framework for urban heat island (UHI) risk assessment in the city of Olomouc, Czech Republic by integrating multi-source data on thermal conditions, socio-spatial characteristics and human perception. Conceptually, the approach is based on the climate risk framework proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which defines risk as a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability, with the latter further differentiated into sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The proposed methodology combines satellite-based thermal data, in-situ air temperature measurements from an urban sensor network, participatory mapping results on thermal comfort and discomfort as well as socio-demographic and urban structure datasets. To ensure spatial comparability across heterogeneous data sources, all inputs are harmonized within a common spatial framework using a hexagonal grid, which enables consistent aggregation. The datasets are subsequently converted into indicators representing hazard, exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, following widely used approaches in UHI vulnerability assessment. To enable comparability between indicators with different value ranges, a normalization procedure is applied, and the indicators are then aggregated using a weighting scheme. Finally, UHI risk in Olomouc is visualized in static maps and interpreted with the definition of priority zones where UHI mitigation and adaptation strategies are most urgently needed. Furthermore, the most important insights of the analysis are highlighted in an interactive web mapping application, allowing decision-makers to gain additional insights into the distribution of UHI risk.

Abstract:

This diploma thesis aims to develop a transferable geospatial framework for urban heat island (UHI) risk assessment in the city of Olomouc, Czech Republic by integrating multi-source data on thermal conditions, socio-spatial characteristics and human perception. Conceptually, the approach is based on the climate risk framework proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which defines risk as a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability, with the latter further differentiated into sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The proposed methodology combines satellite-based thermal data, in-situ air temperature measurements from an urban sensor network, participatory mapping results on thermal comfort and discomfort as well as socio-demographic and urban structure datasets. To ensure spatial comparability across heterogeneous data sources, all inputs are harmonized within a common spatial framework using a hexagonal grid, which enables consistent aggregation. The datasets are subsequently converted into indicators representing hazard, exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, following widely used approaches in UHI vulnerability assessment. To enable comparability between indicators with different value ranges, a normalization procedure is applied, and the indicators are then aggregated using a weighting scheme. Finally, UHI risk in Olomouc is visualized in static maps and interpreted with the definition of priority zones where UHI mitigation and adaptation strategies are most urgently needed. Furthermore, the most important insights of the analysis are highlighted in an interactive web mapping application, allowing decision-makers to gain additional insights into the distribution of UHI risk.

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 7. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Mgr. Jakub Koníček, Ph.D.

UNIVERZITA PALACKÉHO V OLOMOUCI

Přírodovědecká fakulta

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Geoinformatics and Cartography / Geoinformatics and Cartography