Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion

Abdollah Mobaraki; Mojdeh Nikoofam; Mohammad Bagher Ahmadi; Behnam Mobaraki

doi:10.31127/tuje.1968287

Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion

Abstract

Urban Heat Island (UHI) formation is influenced by urban morphology, land use, vegetation cover, transportation, and construction materials. This study investigates the principal factors contributing to UHI formation in Shiraz, Iran, through a qualitative comparative assessment of five central districts, selected because they represent contrasting urban conditions within the same climatic context. The findings indicate that dense development, limited vegetation, extensive impervious surfaces, transportation-related heat emissions, and low-reflectivity façade and pavement materials are closely associated with accumulation of UHI. Accordingly, vegetation enhancement, sustainable transportation, cool roofs, and high-albedo materials were identified as relevant mitigation measures. Among these measures, improving construction materials was further assessed experimentally using polypropylene fiber-reinforced cementitious composites. Thermal transmittance and flexural-strength tests indicated stable thermal behavior and enhanced mechanical performance, with optimum results obtained at nano-clay contents of 3.0–4.5%. Although the experimental assessment does not directly quantify UHI reduction, it demonstrates the potential of sustainable cementitious materials to improve construction material performance and reduce cooling demand. The findings support the combined application of planning measures and experimentally assessed material solutions in hot semi-arid cities.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Abdollah Mobaraki
0000-0003-1328-4439
Türkiye

Mojdeh Nikoofam
0000-0001-5553-8025
Cyprus

Mohammad Bagher Ahmadi This is me
0009-0009-3659-3673
Iran

Behnam Mobaraki ^*
0000-0002-2924-643X
Spain

Publication Date

October 16, 2026

Submission Date

June 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968287

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79BD58TG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Mobaraki, A., Nikoofam, M., Ahmadi, M. B., & Mobaraki, B. (2026). Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(4), 1535-1547. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968287

AMA

1.Mobaraki A, Nikoofam M, Ahmadi MB, Mobaraki B. Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion. TUJE. 2026;10(4):1535-1547. doi:10.31127/tuje.1968287

Chicago

Mobaraki, Abdollah, Mojdeh Nikoofam, Mohammad Bagher Ahmadi, and Behnam Mobaraki. 2026. “Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (4): 1535-47. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968287.

EndNote

Mobaraki A, Nikoofam M, Ahmadi MB, Mobaraki B (October 1, 2026) Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 4 1535–1547.

IEEE

[1]A. Mobaraki, M. Nikoofam, M. B. Ahmadi, and B. Mobaraki, “Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1535–1547, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1968287.

ISNAD

Mobaraki, Abdollah - Nikoofam, Mojdeh - Ahmadi, Mohammad Bagher - Mobaraki, Behnam. “Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/4 (October 1, 2026): 1535-1547. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968287.

JAMA

1.Mobaraki A, Nikoofam M, Ahmadi MB, Mobaraki B. Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion. TUJE. 2026;10:1535–1547.

MLA

Mobaraki, Abdollah, et al. “Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 1535-47, doi:10.31127/tuje.1968287.

Vancouver

1.Abdollah Mobaraki, Mojdeh Nikoofam, Mohammad Bagher Ahmadi, Behnam Mobaraki. Assessing Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Hot-Arid Climates: Impacts of Building Materials, Morphology, and Urban Expansion. TUJE. 2026 Oct. 1;10(4):1535-47. doi:10.31127/tuje.1968287