Contrasting urban heat disparities across income levels in Seoul and London

Urban areas face rising heat exposure due to urbanization and climate change, with over half the world's population in cities, projected to reach nearly 70 % by 2050. Marginalized communities often endure higher temperatures, reflecting broader environmental inequalities. Despite this, comprehensive analyses across diverse urban contexts are limited. This study examines Seoul and London using high-resolution satellite data from ECOSTRESS and Landsat (2013–2023) to explore urban heat distribution and socioeconomic status. Our findings show lower-income neighborhoods in London consistently experience higher heat island intensities, while Seoul does not exhibit this pattern. Higher-income areas in London benefit from more green spaces and having more detached houses leading to reduced heat intensities, whereas equitable greenspace distribution and denser housing patterns in rich neighborhoods in Seoul results in less pronounced disparities. Seasonal variations highlight heat exposure disparities in warmer months. This study contributes to strategies for reducing heat exposure and promoting equitable urban environments.