Urban Heat Island’s Vulnerability Assessment by Integrating Urban Planning Policies: A Case Study of Montpellier Méditerranée Metropolitan Area, France

The energy balance differences between urban and rural areas give rise to a representative phenomenon of climate change called the heat island (UHI). UHI phenomenon, which is exacerbated by global warming effects expansion, exposes populations thermal stress overheating. Therefore, measuring intensity vulnerability needed mitigate its on health, comfort, consumption infrastructure. Additionally, decision makers are looking for methodologies identify most vulnerable in planning. This research aims investigate prone overheating Montpellier Mediterranean metropolitan area as case study French planning context. objective develop methodology assessing based interaction exposure sensitivity policies. Accordingly, set fifteen indicators developed visualize policies, A statistical-based method applied determine individual weights indicators’ variance, calculated using principal component analysis (PCA). spatial distribution then analyzed. results indicate that with highest challenges UHI. In fact, reveal these have characteristics likely aggravate this proposes integrating mitigation solutions into planning: increase permeable green areas; improvement ventilation exchange decrease anthropogenic generation. It demonstrates combining policies new perspective studies. findings can be utilized better susceptible plan appropriate strategies.