With the increasing level of urbanization and the increasing density of urban space, the urban heat island effect is intensifying, resulting in an increase in the scope and intensity of extreme weather, posing a threat to the physical and mental health of urban residents. The urban heat island effect has now become a hot spot in multidisciplinary research. In this paper, the technical development of heat island effect research methods at existing scales is summarized, and its advantages and disadvantages and applicability at different scales are analyzed. In addition, the influencing factors of the heat island effect at the street valley scale were analyzed. Finally, according to the problems existing in the current research process, the research progress and development trend of urban heat island at the street valley scale are proposed from the aspects of data and evaluation methods. This paper aims to provide a reference for in-depth study of the urban street valley heat island effect under the background of compact urban development model, and provide an effective way to alleviate the urban heat island effect.