CIC Featured in USGS Profile of Urban Heat Action in Chicago
United States Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) Center recounts cross-sector efforts to address urban heat.
December 1, 2021
USGS' EROS profile of Chicago's urban heat response appeared at: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros/news/collaborations-quest-examine-effects-urban-heat-actions-chicago
Contact: Innovate@InfrastructureForward.org
“If cities are investing in green roofs or parks or permeable surfaces, it’s a good idea for the planners and taxpayers to know if those things actually have the intended effect. [This work] allows us to move toward a whole new era of performance-based infrastructure development and design.” Jamie Ponce, Executive Director - Civic Infrastructure Collaborative
Collaboration's Quest: Examine Effects of Urban Heat Actions in Chicago
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Chicago faced a tragic awakening to the dangers of extreme heat in July 1995, when more than 700 people died during a record-breaking heat wave that stretched for five days.
Since then, the City has updated its emergency response strategy to try to prevent heat-related illness and death, including outreach to the most vulnerable populations. Impervious surfaces such as pavement and rooftops can exacerbate heat waves, so green roofs have sprouted by the hundreds, and the Chicago Park District promotes 8,800 acres of green space. At the site of an old railyard near Lake Michigan, Chicago created the 24.5-acre Millennium Park, one of the largest green roofs in the world.
The average annual temperature for Chicago is rising, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration statistics. The average during the years of 1981-2010 was 49.9 degrees; for 1991-2020, it reached 51.3 degrees. Climate change is also expected to affect the frequency and intensity of heat waves.
To continue reading, please visit: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros/news/collaborations-quest-examine-effects-urban-heat-actions-chicago.
About USGS Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) Center:
The USGS EROS Center studies land change and produces land change data products used by researchers, resource managers, and policy makers across the nation and around the world. It also operates the Landsat satellite program with NASA, and maintains the largest civilian collection of images of the Earth’s land surface in existence, including tens of millions of satellite images.
For more information, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros.
About Civic Infrastructure Collaborative:
Civic Infrastructure Collaborative drives public value from core urban infrastructure through cross-sector collaboration and technology-enabled innovation. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, the Collaborative uses a proven methodology to identify, develop, deploy, and scale inclusive infrastructure solutions. We help infrastructure asset owners, operators, public officials, technology providers, and other stakeholders to deliver economic, social, and environmental returns for the communities they serve.
For more information, visit: www.InfrastructureForward.org.
Share this article:
©2021 Civic Infrastructure Collaborative.
All rights reserved.