Impact of urbanization on temperature distribution in Malaysia: A case study of Rawang, Selangor

Rapid urbanization entails drastic landuse change. The conversion of land cover to buildings represents a process of heat production by factories, vehicle emission, air conditioners and other related human activities. The net effect is temperature rise and increases of atmospheric pollutant particulates. This study investigated the level, factors and impact of urbanization on temperature distribution in Rawang, in particular, the relevance of the level of urbanization in Rawang town and the factors that produced heat islands in the Rawang town center and suburbs. A total of 12 stations covering the entire zone of land use was chosen for the measurement of the temperature distribution . The findings revealed that a major factor contributing to the increase in temperature is the opening of new industrial sites and housing and shop lots construction in the Rawang town center. The town center saw temperatures higher than the suburban and rural areas. All in all, Rawang experienced significant levels of temperature change which could be categorized as posing some degree of danger to human health. Some recommendations of the best control methods were proposed to mitigate the heat island factors.