Khairi Sioud

Urban heat vulnerability is an increasing public health concern, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of southern France. This study aims to quantify and map the Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) for Toulouse and to analyze its temporal trends to identify high-risk zones and influencing factors. The assessment integrates recent years’ remote sensing data of pollutant emissions, land use/land cover and land surface temperature, statistical data of climate-related mortalities, and socioeconomic and demographic factors. Following a detailed analysis of recent real-time air quality and weather data from multiple monitoring stations across the city of Toulouse, it was observed that Urban Pollution Island (UPI) and Urban Heat Island (UHI) are closely interlinked phenomena. Their combined effects can significantly elevate the annual mortality risk rate by an average of 2%, as calculated using AirQ+ particularly, in densely populated urban areas. Remote sensing data was processed using Google Earth Engine and all factors were grouped into three key categories: heat exposure, heat sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to derive HVI. Temporal HVI maps were generated and analyzed to identify recent trends, revealing a persistent increase in vulnerability across the city. Comparative results show that 2022 was the most critical summer period, especially evident in areas with limited vegetation and extensive use of heat-absorptive materials in buildings and pavements. The year 2024 indicates resiliency and adaptation although some areas remain highly vulnerable. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to improve public health, enhance urban resilience, and promote overall human well-being. This research provides valuable insights for urban planners and municipal authorities in designing greener, more heat-resilient environments.

Urban heat vulnerability is a growing concern for public health, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions

So far, species separation has been achieved in closed vertical thermogravitational columns (TGC). To obtain continuous separation, the initially homogeneous binary solution with a positive thermodiffusion coefficient was introduced at a constant volumetric flow rate through one of the two vertical slots of the TGC and retrieved through the opposite slot. This process required the horizontal dimension separating the two slots to be sufficiently large for the mass regime at the exit slot to reach the steady state associated with a vertical stratification of the mass fraction. Analytical resolution and numerical simulations were developed and showed good agreement between theoretical and numerical results.