Assessment of human heat vulnerability of different Local Climate Zones in Lahore: Coupling remote sensing and socioeconomic data

High population influx and rapid urban growth have not only amplified extreme weather events but also have significantly influenced the sustainable development of cities. Therefore, urban planning must account for urban transformation and extreme events as efficiently as possible. Using the concept of a human-environment system, this study proposes a practical approach for the assessment of human vulnerability to heat stress in different Local Climate Zones (LCZs) of Lahore. Using the human vulnerability index computed at the union council administrative scale and LCZs data at 100m cell size, GIS tools (i.e. rasterization and zonal statistics) are used to compare the datasets. The linkage of human heat vulnerability with LCZs shows that human vulnerability is relatively low in compact development compared to sparsely built-up and low-density areas. It is due to the income profile of residents as well as accessibility of social infrastructure in compact development zones. This assessment of cross-scale mechanisms of human heat vulnerability in urban systems is expected to inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing effective policies to address social, economic, and health risks.