The lack of urban planning causes Heat Island formation and, because of this, it is important to analyze the current situation in order to be able to delineate better environmental parameters to achieve urban sustainable development, reducing the negative effects of uncontrolled urban growth, which will allow better living ways. The uncontrolled urban expansion of the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey produces an environmental degradation. Traditional types of construction materials, air conditioners, industrial activities, and the lack of greens areas rise the temperature. The phenomenon is known as Urban Heat Island (UHI), and causes health problems, excessive use of resources, such as water and energy. Inhabitants of the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) started to suffer the negative consequences of the accelerated unplanned city grow, which comes with an environmental degradation of land surface and deforestation among other consequences, like the alteration of natural hydrologic flows, as a result of these changes. This research analyzes the relationship between land surface temperature and land use -land cover, in the MAM using Remote Sensing Imagery. Social characteristics of the population were included to learn if there is a relationship between social stratum and the effect of heat islands, using Geographical Information Systems. The results provide valuable information to design better guidelines for sustainable urban growth. Areas of heat stress were identified. Spatial relationships between land use, land cover and temperature are relevant. Images show not only the distribution and intensity of UHI but also give a more descriptive knowledge about the inhabitants suffering from heat stress. Such analysis will give a basic knowledge of climate behavior of the city and aims to help planning authorities to take better future decisions and could contribute to an improved use of natural resources, for urban development, and to consider the importance of green areas. It is urgent to elaborate sustainable territorial development plans which seek environmental protection, less harmful human practices, and improve to living standards for the population. The analysis of climate conditions is extremely necessary to take strong planning decisions and formulate design guidelines; every place is unique and should have its own statements. It is also necessary to consider that cities are not independent regions, but that they are inside an ecosystem, so their environmental problems have a relation on a bigger scale, such as global warming. ; Master of Science in Environmental Systems