Multi-level Climate Governance for Urban Heat Island Mitigation in Tacna, Atacama Desert, Southern Peru: An Integrated Approach Based on the SDGs

Acosta-Caipa K.; Espinoza-Molina J.; Vera-Barrios B.; Pino-Vargas E. · Inzynieria Mineralna (2025) · DOI: 10.29227/im-2025-02-02-122

Resumen

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) in the city of Tacna, Peru, through a comprehensive approach that addresses biophysical, institutional, and social dimensions, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. A mixed-methods methodology was employed, combining the analysis of high-resolution thermal imagery with an institutional assessment and 25 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from local government, academia, and civil society. The results reveal an average increase of 1.8 °C in Tacna's urban temperature over the past two decades, with maximum differences of up to 6 °C between densely built-up areas and periurban zones with vegetation cover. Furthermore, the study identified significant institutional fragmentation in managing the phenomenon, with responsibilities scattered across various municipal departments and a lack of coordinated strategy. The research also highlighted a marked pattern of climate injustice: informal settlements exhibit surface temperatures up to 4.7 °C higher than formal urban areas, exacerbating socio-environmental inequalities. The study concludes that effective UHI mitigation in arid urban contexts requires: (1) integrated policies linking green infrastructure with social inclusion, (2) strengthened institutional capacities with community legitimacy, and (3) polycentric governance for the implementation of adaptive measures. The lessons learned may be replicable in other intermediate cities facing similar climate related challenges.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Moquegua; Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann