Urban Heat Management

In this class, we will explore the complex interactions between rising temperatures, urban infrastructure, and public health through the lens of environmental justice. We will examine global examples of city and local-level heat mitigation and adaptation policies, review current strategies in NYC, assess their effectiveness, and develop recommendations. The course goals include understanding the interactions between extreme heat, urban infrastructure, and public health; exploring heat vulnerability and its measurement; critically assessing global heat management examples; and practicing professional communication skills. By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss the social and environmental impacts of heat, describe the metrics of heat vulnerability, analyze case studies of global heat action plans and policies, and develop a heat management plan with verifiable metrics.