Landscape-Based Extreme Heat Vulnerability Assessment

Abstract

Extreme heat is becoming an increasingly dangerous threat to urban residents. However, unlike hazards such as storm surges which have been well studied by agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Commission in the United States, communities lack basic knowledge of where extreme heat threats are likely to have the most impact, and who is likely to be most affected. Here, we apply a mapping approach to identify areas of New York City where people are likely to be particularly vulnerable to extreme heat-related health effects based on both exposure to biophysical elements that exacerbate heat, and sensitivity to heat-related health impacts. Unlike most studies that develop indicators of heat vulnerability at Census-based aggregations, we disaggregate population data to a fine scale, in order to more precisely identify vulnerable communities. Using a landscape-based indicator that links exposure to properties of the urban built and natural landscape, we develop an approach for informing land-based strategies for mitigating micro-urban heat islands. Our findings indicate that African Americans and households living below the poverty line are disproportionately exposed to high surface temperatures. This study illustrates an approach for identifying multiple dimensions of vulnerability to extreme heat with improved location precision, in a way that informs spatially strategic extreme heat mitigation efforts.