Most studies directed to urban climate simulation have been carried out under the assumption that an urban canopy layer is a sublayer comprised of various roughnesses, and as a consequence, difficulties have arisen in obtaining a suitable heat balance for such a layer. This paper, therefore, focuses on investigating the surface temperature distributions of all urban surfaces via a new index based on sensible heat flux, named the heat island potential (HIP), which can be employed in urban development planning to evaluate the urban thermal environment. Simulation results following the use of HIP are verified by side-looking airborne multi-spectral scanner (MSS) and geographic information system (GIS) data; thereby enabling elucidation of these thermal effects on the atmosphere. In addition, a heat balance algorithm is developed which simulates urban surfaces such that construction of urban thermal images is possible.