Urban Heat Island Effect

Boston Skyline with Dome

Boston Launches a 20-Year Urban Forestry Plan

The forthcoming Boston Urban Forestry Plan is expected to support communities that have been disproportionately exposed to environmental stressors.

October 6, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Downtown Phoenix

Satellite, Launched Into Space Earlier This Month, to Measure Urban Heat Island Effect

A new satellite, currently residing on the International Space Station and scheduled for deployment in January, will measure and map the urban heat island effect of seven U.S. cities.

November 25, 2019 - Arizona Republic

Cool Roofs in the Dog Days of Summer

The Dallas Morning New details Dallas' cool roof program, one of the ways the city tries to cool down its heat island effect.

September 3, 2019 - The Dallas Morning News

Chicago Lake Michigan Trees

Urban Forestry Managers Need Better Climate Change Data, Report Says

Results of a new survey suggest that there are benefits to be reaped from a focus on climate change.

April 23, 2019 - CityLab

Denver's November Election Will Answer Big Questions About the Built Environment

The Denver Post gives a preview of some of the big questions facing Denver voters in November.

October 8, 2017 - The Denver Post

Los Angeles Downtown River

Climate Change Will Be Worse for Big Cities

Blame it on the urban heat island effect.

June 4, 2017 - KPCC

Los Angeles Sunset

Los Angeles' Plan to Cool Down

Los Angeles has a heat problem, and it's getting worse. But the Mayor's Office is taking on the challenge.

February 13, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

San Bernardino

Where Is the Los Angeles Heat Island Effect Most Intense?

No, this is not a trick question. By definition, you'd think the answer is L.A., where the heat is generated, but it's actually San Bernardino, 56 miles to the east. Turns out that like ozone, heat is transported by the wind.

September 24, 2015 - KPCC

Debate Continues Over Benefits of White Roofs

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently completed an economic analysis of white roofs versus their green and black counterparts. The debate over the relative merits of white versus green roofs is far from over, however.

February 5, 2014 - Inhabitat

To Beat the Heat, L.A. Mandates Cool Roofs

In case you haven't heard, L.A. gets a lot of sun. While this is great for getting a tan, it presents a challenge for mitigating the heat island effect and rising temperatures. New legislation requires that the roofs of new homes help beat the heat.

December 20, 2013 - Climate Progress

Downtown Louisville

Louisville is America's Hottest City; But That's Not Cool

Recent analysis shows that Louisville, Ky. suffers from the worst 'heat island' conditions among America's 50 largest cities. The city is also one of the few without a tree ordinance. Coincidence? Sarah Goodyear investigates.

May 8, 2013 - Next City

Could Colored Pavement Cool Our Cities?

More than a third of the land in our cities is covered by black asphalt, an exemplary heat trapping surface and major contributor to the urban heat island effect. Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley Lab are studying "cool pavement" alternatives.

April 3, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Heat Islands May Not Be So Bad After All

Emily Badger reports on pioneering research that is looking into ways to utilize the heat trapping properties of asphalt, rather than fighting it.

May 25, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Making Roofs Cooler in New York City

Under a new service program called NYC Cool Roofs, volunteers are painting New York's rooftops white to try to lower urban temperatures and save energy.

September 26, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.