The Center for Sustainable Urban Development is studying the public health impacts of extreme heat and community-led planning, policy, and green infrastructure solutions to address the issue in partnership with environmental justice groups including WE ACT in Northern Manhattan and THE POINT CDC in the South Bronx. The goal of the project is to research current cooling programs and heat vulnerability mapping in New York City and share recommendations on how city policies can be made more effective and equitable. Our research work includes assessing current cooling programs such as Cool Neighborhoods NYC, the City’s Cooling Centers program, and heat vulnerability mapping tools by conducting literature reviews, and statistical and GIS analysis. We conducted a survey in summer 2020 in partnership with WE ACT that examined how residents of Northern Manhattan coped with the compounding risks of extreme heat and COVID-19. Our current research is focused on conducting a literature review and GIS analysis to measure how accessible cooling amenities such as cooling centers (schools, senior centers, libraries), water sprinklers, and green space are to heat-vulnerable communities. In an effort to unite scientific experts, community organizers, and city officials, the research team convenes collaboration around heat health equity research through monthly research working group meetings. The project is funded by an Earth Institute Earth Frontiers Grant.
Contact: Robbie M. Parks [email protected]
