The influence of rural areas transformation on the urban heat islands occurrence - Tourist center Zlatibor case study

As urbanization continues to increase, changes in the ecological characteristics of urban areas are becoming more reasonable to meet the needs of a growing population. However, the profound impact of human-induced urban pressures on land, often called the "billing impact", is strongly emphasized in research publications. In many cases, contemporary anthropogenic processes alter the dynamics of environmental functions in complex ways. Urban regions meet a particular climate regime characterized by increased air temperatures compared to peripheral areas and a significant reduction in wind speed, attributable to the interaction of natural and anthropogenic factors. An urban heat island (UHI) occurs when the air above populated areas heats up additionally, causing air to flow from the site's edges to its center and creating a heat dome. This study reveals the influence of urbanization on microclimatic changes, encompassing increased evapotranspiration, altered vegetation cover, and temperature fluctuations. The results illustrate environmental transformations caused by abrupt and unregulated urbanization in the mountainous area of Zlatibor, Serbia, a trend that has intensified over the past decade.