From urban heat islands to resilient cities: A conceptual framework for resilient and sustainable urban environments

This study aims to synthesise existing knowledge on urban heat island (UHI) mechanisms, patterns, and impacts; review strategies for reducing UHI and heat risks; and develop a conceptual framework to support urban heat resilience and sustainable city planning.

The findings show that combinations of green infrastructure, cool materials and blue–green systems can reduce surface and near-surface air temperatures and improve thermal comfort, with co-benefits for public health, energy efficiency, biodiversity and liveability. However, implementation is frequently constrained by limited financial and technical capacity, fragmented institutions, context-specific trade-offs, and insufficient attention to equity. Building on these insights, the paper proposes a conceptual framework comprising ten components that connect context and drivers; assessment and diagnosis; intervention strategies; implementation mechanisms; enablers; barriers; equity operationalisation; outcomes and effectiveness; monitoring and evaluation; and feedback and iteration. The paper concludes that advancing from urban heat islands to resilient cities requires design innovation supported by enabling governance, equity-centred prioritisation, and iterative monitoring and learning.