A study on the surface temperature distribution and the urban structure in Tokyo with ASTER and LIDAR data

The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between the surface temperature distribution and urban structure in Tokyo metropolitan area. ASTER data and LIDAR data both are used for this analysis. The daytime (2001.9.24 at 10:39 JST) and night (2001.9.22 at 21:54 JST) scenes of ASTER TIR are used for the surface temperature in daytime and night. The same daytime scene of ASTER VNIR is also used for the land-cover. LIDAR data, 3D point clouds from the remote airborne mapping system, is used for the building height. As results, the distribution of the surface temperature is high at residential areas and low at business centers and main roads in daytime, and then it is reversed in night. The correlation between the surface temperature and the urban structure shows 1) green areas have a good impact on the urban heat environment and these areas are not enough, and 2) tall buildings make shadows and fall the surface temperature in daytime, but raise it for obstructing winds in night.