Urbana värmeöar och rumslig ojämlikhet. En GIS-baserad studie av Göteborgs tätorter

Abstract

This bachelor's thesis examines the spatial distribution of urban heat islands (UHI) in the urban areas of Gothenburg, Sweden, and how exposure to these relates to income levels. The study is grounded in the increasing risks of heat in urban environments as a consequence of climate change and aims to highlight potential spatial inequalities in heat exposure. Based on previous research and with a framework in human geography, a quantitative analysis is conducted using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Meteorological data is modeled through the Urban Weather Generator (UWG), and the risk analysis is based on the Swedish Public Health Agency’s method for assessing risk areas. These results are then linked to socioeconomic statistics from Statistics Sweden, with income levels represented in a 250- meter grid. The findings show that UHI risk areas vary across the city, with some concentration in central Gothenburg. Grid cells with lower income levels display a slightly higher exposure to UHI risk, though the correlation is not conclusive. The results reveal significant variation in relative temperatures and no clear pattern or strong link to income. Thus, the study illustrates both the variation and complexity of spatial heat exposure. While UHIs are a well-documented phenomenon globally, the results indicate that they are not currently a pronounced issue in Gothenburg. However, the study points to potential for future development, such as including additional variables and higher-resolution meteorological data, to deepen understanding of UHIs in a Scandinavian context.