Abstract
Urban heat island (UHI) effect is an increasingly prominent health and environmental hazard that is linked to urbanization and climate change. Greening reduces the negative impacts of UHI; trees specifically are the most effective in ambient temperature reduction. This paper investigates vulnerability to heat in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and identifies where street trees can be planted as a public intervention. We used geospatial information systems (GIS) software to map a validated Heat Vulnerability Index to identify vulnerability at the block level. Using a high-low geospatial cluster analysis, we assessed where the City of Philadelphia can most effectively plant street trees to address UHI. This information was then aggregated to the neighborhood level for more effective citizen communication and policymaking. We identified that 26 of 48 (54%) neighborhoods that were vulnerable to heat also lacked street trees. Of 158 Philadelphia neighborhoods, 63 (40%) contained block groups of high vulnerability to either heat or street tree infrastructure. Neighborhoods that were ranked highest in both classifications were identified in two adjacent West Philadelphia neighborhoods. Planting street trees is a public service a city can potentially reduce the negative health impacts of UHI. GIS can be used to identify and recommend street tree plantings to reduce urban heat.
Highlights
Urban heat island (UHI) effect, which is a phenomenon that has been documented since the 1980s, has become increasingly more prominent as the world urbanizes and warms due to climate change [1,2,3,4].UHI refers to the disproportionate rise in temperatures in urban areas due to the retention of heat by impervious surfaces, buildings, and roof surfaces
Urban areas tend to have less greenspace and foliage, both of which assist in promoting evapotranspiration, decreasing heat retention, and facilitating air movement, which leads to higher ambient temperatures as compared to rural areas [7,9,10]
This study proves to be the one of few studies to date that addresses the social determinants of heat vulnerability, at a scale smaller than the city level
Summary
UHI refers to the disproportionate rise in temperatures in urban areas due to the retention of heat by impervious surfaces, buildings, and roof surfaces. Average city temperatures during warm weather months are typically between 1–3 degrees Fahrenheit, or approximately 1 degree Celcius, warmer than rural areas, and can rise even more during extreme heat events [5,6]. Urban areas tend to have less greenspace and foliage, both of which assist in promoting evapotranspiration, decreasing heat retention, and facilitating air movement, which leads to higher ambient temperatures as compared to rural areas [7,9,10].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
