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Modeling the Effects of Urban Design on Emergency Medical Response Calls during Extreme Heat Events in Toronto, Canada

Author

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  • Drew A. Graham

    (School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Jennifer K. Vanos

    (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Natasha A. Kenny

    (Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Robert D. Brown

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Architecture 3137, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3137, USA)

Abstract

Urban residents are at risk of health-related illness during extreme heat events but the dangers are not equal in all parts of a city. Previous studies have found a relationship between physical characteristics of neighborhoods and the number of emergency medical response (EMR) calls. We used a human energy budget model to test the effects of landscape modifications that are designed to cool the environment on the expected number of EMR calls in two neighborhoods in Toronto, Canada during extreme heat events. The cooling design strategies reduced the energy overload on people by approximately 20–30 W m −2 , resulting in an estimated 40–50% reduction in heat-related ambulance calls. These findings advance current understanding of the relationship between the urban landscape and human health and suggest straightforward design strategies to positively influence urban heat-health.

Suggested Citation

  • Drew A. Graham & Jennifer K. Vanos & Natasha A. Kenny & Robert D. Brown, 2017. "Modeling the Effects of Urban Design on Emergency Medical Response Calls during Extreme Heat Events in Toronto, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:7:p:778-:d:104668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. K. Oleson & A. Monaghan & O. Wilhelmi & M. Barlage & N. Brunsell & J. Feddema & L. Hu & D. Steinhoff, 2015. "Interactions between urbanization, heat stress, and climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 129(3), pages 525-541, April.
    2. Harlan, Sharon L. & Brazel, Anthony J. & Prashad, Lela & Stefanov, William L. & Larsen, Larissa, 2006. "Neighborhood microclimates and vulnerability to heat stress," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(11), pages 2847-2863, December.
    3. Kate L. Bassil & Donald C. Cole, 2010. "Effectiveness of Public Health Interventions in Reducing Morbidity and Mortality during Heat Episodes: a Structured Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-11, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiemei Luo & Edwin H. W. Chan & Jinfeng Du & Linxia Feng & Peng Jiang & Ying Xu, 2022. "Developing a Health-Spatial Indicator System for a Healthy City in Small and Midsized Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-20, March.

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