This essay investigates the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon in Guangzhou, the commercial and manufacturing hub of southern China. The original research and fieldwork was conducted by Fleur Wang, a sixth-form student at the British School in Guangzhou. The fieldwork involved using two transects that measured the difference in air temperature between the SW-NE and EW profiles of the city. Land uses in the city were also studied using Landsat satellite imagery. The results showed that air temperature increases with high-density urban built-up areas and decreases with vegetation cover in rural areas. The intensity of the UHIs found was significant and ranged from 2°C to 3.3°C, even when the meteorological conditions for the UHIs were not optimal. The existence of UHIs remains a relevant global issue as over 50% of the world's population now lives in urban areas and mitigation methods must be found to minimize its negative social, economic and environmental effects. INTRODUCTION The purpose of my investigation is to study the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI) in Guangzhou, the third most populated city in China. My alternative hypothesis is: "ambient air temperature will be higher in the city center and lower in rural areas". My project objectives are: • To determine whether an urban heat island exists in Guangzhou and where it is located • To study the factors that influence urban heat islands • To carry out primary and secondary research to draw my conclusionsThe Island Effect urban heat(Source: http://icecap.us/images/uploads/URBAN_HEAT_ISLAND.pdf )The urban heat island effect is simply higher temperatures found in and around an urban area. Heat islands are created by increased heat absorption by building and road materials. This...... middle of paper...... CIE GCE Textbook, "Urban Climates" Heidt, V., & Neif, M. (2008) Benefits of Urban Space for Improving Urban Climate.Ecology, Planning and Urban forest management: an international perspective Oke, T. R. (1973) City size and the urban heat island. Atmospheric Environment 7:769-779Peterson, TC and Vose, RS (1997) An overview of the global historical climatological network temperature database. Bulletin of the American Meteorological SocietySmith and Levermore. (2008) Designing urban spaces and buildings to improve sustainability and quality of life in a warmer world. Elsevier LtdGuangzhou Statistical Office. (2012) 土地面积, 人口密度. Retrieved from www.gzstats.gov.cnLandsat Look. (2013) Retrieved from www.landsatlook.usgs.govWeng, Q. (2003) Fractal analysis of the satellite-detected urban heat island effect. Photogrammetric engineering and remote sensing, 555-566