Synergies between thermal and optical properties of the Urban Green Infrastructure - urban surfaces system

About the Project

The combined effects of urbanization and global warming intensify urban overheating and increase both the frequency and severity of climate change–driven extreme heat events with detrimental consequences to public health and infrastructure. This is also related with the materials used in cities and the density of additional heat sources from human activity. Vegetation-based Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) helps counteract this by lowering both surface and air temperatures. To address how the mix of built-up and green urban surfaces influence microclimates, remotely sensed optical and thermal measurements are commonly used: thermal data (from thermal infrared sensors) measure the emission of longwave radiation from surfaces, which is closely related to their temperature and can be used to explore how urban surfaces store and release heat. Spectral data (from visible to shortwave infrared sensors) on the other hand capture how surfaces absorb and reflect incoming solar radiation at different wavelengths, which helps identify materials (like vegetation, asphalt, metal roofs) based on their reflectance signatures. These methods provide insights key to understanding urban heat dynamics and designing climate-resilient cities.

As the resolution of data products from air- and space-borne instruments is increasingly improving, high-resolution thermal and spectral data are becoming available; however, currently, issues like spatial variation and spectral mixing, i.e. when multiple surface types (e.g. vegetation, concrete, soil) coexist in satellite pixels, reduce temperature assessment accuracy in urban heat studies.

A detailed understanding of how urban surfaces' thermal and optical properties can synergistically be used to assess the complex interactions between UGI and the underlying built surfaces in the building-block scale (~30m) is still lacking. This research will address these challenge by combining high-resolution satellite imagery with ground based remote sensing observations in a new method.

Expected outcomes include:

• A new method based on synergies of spectral and thermal measurements for a more accurate characterization of the urban thermal environment.
• A database with the thermal classification in an urban area (e.g. London) based on the new method.

This project includes a placement of 4 weeks in FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. During the placement period the student will have access to unique, high-calibre datasets and refine the method to better characterize the urban surfaces based on the thermal/spectral synergy that will have been developed in previous stages of this project. The FORTH will contribute to travel expenses. Subsistence expenses will be covered by the student.

University of Reading:

The University of Reading, located west of London, England, is ranked at 194 globally, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. 98% of research at the University is of international standing (REF 2021, combining the University’s world leading, internationally excellent and internationally recognised submissions). The University’s main Whiteknights Campus is set in 120 hectares of beautiful, award-winning parkland, less than a 30-minute train ride to London Paddington and is approximately 30 miles from London Heathrow airport.

During your PhD at the University of Reading, you will expand your research knowledge and skills, receiving supervision and training in a number of different forms. We also provide dedicated training in important transferable skills that will support your career aspirations. If you need to develop your academic English skills before you start your studies, then the University has an excellent Global Academy which can help with this.

Eligibility:

• Applicants should have a good bachelor’s degree (minimum of a UK Upper Second (2:1) or equivalent)/master’s degree in in Physics, Geography, Engineering or a strongly-related discipline.
• International applicants will also need to meet the University’s English Language requirements. We offer pre-sessional English courses that can help with meeting these requirements.

*The University of Reading is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community.*

How to apply:

Submit an application for a PhD in Energy and Environmental Engineering via our online application system

Further information:

Construction Management and Engineering PhD webpage

Enquiries:

Dr Christos Halios, e-mail: c.halios@reading.ac.uk

Funding Notes

We welcome applications from self-funded students worldwide for this project.

If you are applying to an international funding scheme, we encourage you to get in contact as we may be able to support you in your application.