Thermal characterization of the university environment for green infrastructure planning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22320/07190700.2026.16.01.01Keywords:
urban heat islands, vegetation, NGRDI, green infrastructure, planningAbstract
The increase in urban temperatures, driven by climate change and the expansion of gray infrastructure, has intensified the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, affecting thermal comfort in outdoor spaces. This study characterized the campus thermal environment at the Autonomous University of Baja California in Mexicali, one of the world's hottest cities, to identify opportunities for green infrastructure (GI) planning. The methodology included generating a high-resolution orthomosaic using an unmanned aerial vehicle to calculate the NGRDI index, in situ measurements of land surface temperature (LST) using infrared thermometers, and geospatial analysis of both variables. The results showed higher temperatures on impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, while tree-covered areas presented lower values. However, some green areas with low vegetation vigor showed limited cooling capacity, highlighting the need to strengthen GI strategies.
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