Spatiotemporal synergies between urban land surface temperature and energy consumption in a hyper-arid metropolis

Urban land use and climate patterns in arid environments are key factors that influence overall energy demand. Understanding the geospatial relationship between the LST (Land Surface Temperature) and its impact on energy consumption in Doha (Qatar) and Dubai (UAE) from 2017 to 2024 is essential for developing effective climate change mitigation strategies. This study aims to evaluate how climate-driven and urban LST patterns affect energy consumption in Qatar over the past five years (2020-2024). Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Neural Network AI, and statistical analysis methods have been used to quantify these impacts. Results show that Doha’s summer LST increased from 44°C in 2017 to 52°C in 2024, while Dubai experienced a 4°C rise during the same period. Meanwhile, electricity consumption in Qatar grew by 41%, from 35,900 GWh in 2017 to 50,613 GWh in 2024, and in the UAE by 28%, from 114,485 GWh in 2017 to 146,128 GWh in 2023. These findings confirm that energy demand in hyper-arid cities continues to rise steadily and irreversibly, primarily due to urbanization and climate factors. Our results suggest that urban cities in the eastern Arabian Peninsula are experiencing a rapid and irreversible increase in energy consumption, likely linked to climatic adaptation. These trends differ significantly from those in other urban areas in arid regions, where growth tends to be more transitional. Moreover, this study supports sustainable planning initiatives such as energy-efficient urban design, the adoption of renewable energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure, aligning with Qatar’s 2030 Vision and the UAE’s sustainable development goals.