Urban heat in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, South Africa: A meter-scale assessment and vulnerability analysis

•30 m resolution city-wide heat stress indicators are provided for the past & future.•Meter-scale analyses of heat stress indicate vulnerable regions.•Effect of vegetation and building density on heat stress is quantified.•The implementation of urban green is an effective climate resilient urban planning strategy.•A monitoring campaign is executed to support modelling results.