Spatiotemporal Analysis of Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Doha: Seasonal Relationship Between Land Surface Temperature, Vegetation Health, and Local Climate Zones

¹ Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar – 2713.
² Applied Geography and GIS Program, Department of Humanities, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar – 2713.

Abstract

Evidence-based land use planning and climate-responsive design hold potential for enhancing thermal resilience in arid regions like Qatar. Leveraging Landsat imageries, we analysed seasonal land surface temperature (LST), Urban Heat Island (UHI), and Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) in and around Doha City (in 2024) with land use and land cover proxied by the Local Climatic Zone (LCZ) data. Results revealed that bare soil and sandy areas peaked at 40°C, exacerbating the UHI effect, while compact low-rise, and heavy industrial zones consistently reported the highest median summer LST, ranging from 37°C to 39°C. In contrast, vegetated and open low-rise areas demonstrated lower LST and improved UTFVI, particularly during winter and spring. This suggests that strategically designing green spaces could enhance outdoor thermal comfort. UTFVI results reinforced the potential of nature-based solutions in mitigating urban thermal stress. This study builds on that momentum, highlighting the opportunity for urban planning frameworks to integrate evidence-based, enforceable, and climate-responsive strategies that promote sustainable environments. These findings underscore the need for policies that prioritise thoughtful expansion and careful selection of plant species that can thrive across all seasons to enhance urban thermal resilience.