Desert urbanization in the UAE has led to cooler temperatures in newly developed areas, contrary to the expected urban heat island effect. By analyzing satellite data from 1988 to 2017, researchers found that the conversion of desert surfaces to urban areas resulted in a decrease of 3°C - 5°C in land surface temperatures. This cooling effect was attributed to the increase in green spaces, date plantations, and changes in the desert surface. Urban development in the desert did not lead to the typical heat island effect seen in other urban areas.