What is a contributing factor to urban heat islands?

Urban heat islands occur in metropolitan areas where temperatures are significantly higher than in surrounding rural areas. One of the primary contributing factors to this phenomenon is the increased presence of concrete surfaces and intensified human activities in cities.

Concrete, asphalt, and other impermeable surfaces absorb and retain heat during the day and release it slowly during the night, leading to elevated temperatures. Additionally, dense urban environments often mean more human activities—like transportation, manufacturing, and energy use—which generate further heat. These factors collectively exacerbate the urban heat island effect, making cities warmer than their rural counterparts.

The other factors mentioned, such as extensive green spaces, reflective materials, and natural bodies of water, typically help mitigate heat rather than contribute to it, as they can lead to cooling effects in urban areas.