Using Green Solutions to Cover the Dark, Red History of Urban Heat Islands in New York City

Abstract

An urban heat island (UHI) is an area in a city that experiences higher temperatures relative to surrounding areas. New York City (NYC) experiences the UHI effect and is vulnerable to extreme heat and precipitation. Although multiple interventions were made on the issue, there exists a knowledge gap regarding the historical root of this phenomenon in present-day NYC. This paper uses secondary data, such as satellite images and climate databases, and conducts linear regressions to shed light on the interlink of heat and income inequality caused by redlining, the now-illegal practice by the federal government labeling non-white neighborhoods undesirable for real estate investment and depriving them of investment. The study analyzes the key issues of various stakeholders’ past actions and ultimately proposes city-wide green remodeling as a sustainable intervention. This research seeks to propose the most effective and feasible method for NYC to reduce its UHI effect and to emphasize the importance of considering historical injustices when investigating environmental issues.