Communities are increasingly faced with mitigating challenges related to extreme heat. Decision-makers play a critical role in developing policies and solutions addressing the challenges of extreme heat. A collaborative decision-making approach ensures equitable urban cooling solutions, including data-informed decision-making. The Heat Vulnerability Map & Cooling Solutions Webtool, created as part of the Healthy Urban Environments Initiative (HUE), maps heat vulnerability data to inform strategies and solutions for addressing extreme heat. Using heat data from various sources, the heat Vulnerability Map & Cooling Solutions Webtool features vulnerability variables, including temperature, socioeconomic status, household composition, housing type, transportation access, and more. With these variables in mind, the tool presents a regional vulnerability map to inform equitable strategies for heat. 

Regional Heat Vulnerability Map and Cooling Solutions Webtool

Build your own heat vulnerability map and select cooling solutions 

The Webtool has two action areas: an interactive heat map that explores which parts of the city are highly exposed to heat and who is most vulnerable in these areas, and a cooling solutions tab that lists research-based approaches to address heat vulnerability. 

1. Select vulnerability variables that relate to poverty and unemployment in Maricopa County
2. Hit Apply, Analyze Map, and Select Solutions Tab
3. View the Socioeconomic Status Data

 

Place-based solutions

Regional collaboration is critical to ensuring equitable urban cooling. By leveraging place-based data, decision-makers can make informed decisions. Through a regional approach to heat equity solutions, decision-makers can implement increased transportation and mobility, shaded pedestrian and bike pathways, better water management, and affordable air conditioning.

 

The ASU Sustainable Cities Network (SCN) is an innovative education and outreach program within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Future Laboratory, created to work with communities to strengthen sustainability in the region and across Arizona. Comprised of Arizona city, town, county and tribal community practitioners and leaders, SCN is a vehicle for sharing knowledge, identifying best practices, coordinating planning and actions, and fostering long-term partnerships. Created as a bridge between ASU research and local sustainability challenges, SCN participants and partners work together to streamline and green city operation and advance local and regional sustainability and resilience measures. or subscribing to our newsletter.