Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities in the BosWasH corridor

Abstract:

Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity across major US cities in the BosWasH corridor 

Sage Lail1, Chenghao Wang, PhD1,2
 

Abstract:

The urban heat island (UHI) is a serious climatological effect gripping cities across the globe, with a significant underfocus on the largest megapolis on the planet: the BosWash corridor. This corridor - stretching from Boston to Washington DC - represents the largest economic bloc in the world with influential cities like New York City and Baltimore included in its bounds. The infrastructure, and lack thereof, affects over 40 million people. The lack of comprehensive planning can strangle communities and threaten them with upwards of 1°C to 3°C (2°F to 5°F) daily temperature swings. THigher temperatures stress those with health conditions and can particularly affect marginalized, low income communities. There is a gap in existing research in correlating an enhanced urban heat island effect to low income communities, leaving room for improvement and further studies. 

The US has several analysis instruments and techniques including imaging and thermal sensors to understand the physical characteristics in BosWash. These include - but are not limited to - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), and the US Census Bureau. Using ArcGIS to spatially analyze neighborhood characteristics, I found a correlation between how marginalized a community is and severity of UHI in the BosWash corridor. I additionally found issues in addressing UHI and surface heat by local actors, such as the given city governments. 

Keywords: climate, Urban Heat Island, climate change mitigation

Authors: