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Improving Heat-Related Health Outcomes in an Urban Environment with Science-Based Policy

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  • David Sailor

    (School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Marshall Shepherd

    (Department of Geography, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Scott Sheridan

    (Department of Geography, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA)

  • Brian Stone

    (School of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA)

  • Laurence Kalkstein

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Gables, FL 33146, USA)

  • Armistead Russell

    (School of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA)

  • Jason Vargo

    (Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA)

  • Theresa Andersen

    (Department of Geography, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

Abstract

We use the Northeast US Urban Climate Archipelago as a case study to explore three key limitations of planning and policy initiatives to mitigate extreme urban heat. These limitations are: (1) a lack of understanding of spatial considerations—for example, how nearby urban areas interact, affecting, and being affected by, implementation of such policies; (2) an emphasis on air temperature reduction that neglects assessments of other important meteorological parameters, such as humidity, mixing heights, and urban wind fields; and (3) too narrow of a temporal focus—either time of day, season, or current vs. future climates. Additionally, the absence of a direct policy/planning linkage between heat mitigation goals and actual human health outcomes, in general, leads to solutions that only indirectly address the underlying problems. These issues are explored through several related atmospheric modeling case studies that reveal the complexities of designing effective urban heat mitigation strategies. We conclude with recommendations regarding how policy-makers can optimize the performance of their urban heat mitigation policies and programs. This optimization starts with a thorough understanding of the actual end-point goals of these policies, and concludes with the careful integration of scientific knowledge into the development of location-specific strategies that recognize and address the limitations discussed herein.

Suggested Citation

  • David Sailor & Marshall Shepherd & Scott Sheridan & Brian Stone & Laurence Kalkstein & Armistead Russell & Jason Vargo & Theresa Andersen, 2016. "Improving Heat-Related Health Outcomes in an Urban Environment with Science-Based Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-13, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:1015-:d:80320
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Knowlton, K. & Lynn, B. & Goldberg, R.A. & Rosenzweig, C. & Hogrefe, C. & Rosenthal, J.K. & Kinney, P.L., 2007. "Projecting heat-related mortality impacts under a changing climate in the New York City region," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(11), pages 2028-2034.
    2. Yan Zhou & J. Shepherd, 2010. "Atlanta’s urban heat island under extreme heat conditions and potential mitigation strategies," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 52(3), pages 639-668, March.
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