Manila, Sept. 28 -- University researchers are urging Baguio City to expand green spaces in its central business district as a study found a sharp increase in areas experiencing elevated surface temperatures over the past three decades.

The University of the Cordilleras study, titled "Project GUHeat (Geospatial Assessment and Modelling of Urban Heat Islands in Philippine Cities)," found that land-surface temperature hotspots in the central business district grew from 43.38 hectares in 1989 to 82.82 hectares in 2011, and about 305 hectares between 2014 and 2019.

Aileen Refuerzo, city chief information officer, cited the study, led by Dr. Nathaniel Lubrica, in a statement Monday, saying Baguio has experienced a significant increase in sur...