Building a Collective Story of North Brooklyn Heat Experience

NYC is rapidly warming due to the compounded effects of climate change and the urban heat island effect. However, some neighborhoods within the city are hotter than others. These differences are shaped by variations in greenery and building layouts across the city. Furthermore, communities impacted by structural racism are more vulnerable to the risks of extreme heat due to a lack of coping mechanisms. While air temperature is a sufficient indicator of indoor exposure, radiant heat is the most influential variable affecting outdoor exposure. Therefore, conducting measurements that can capture radiant exposure, such as mean radiant temperature, is essential for understanding the thermal comfort of pedestrians. A recent report, Community Heat and Air Mapping Project for Environmental Justice by the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, highlights the need for hyperlocal heat monitoring.

Urban vegetation is essential for providing relief from heat. By engaging with the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance (NBK Parks), the project team will support NBK Parks’ advocacy for equitable access to quality green spaces for North Brooklyn residents. NBK Parks has over two decades of experience working with residents, the city, and private supporters to improve the quality of green spaces in North Brooklyn. By conducting a series of thermal walks, the project will track hyperlocal differences in microclimates and thermal perception, develop microclimate awareness, and support advocacy efforts for implementing nature-based solutions in the neighborhood.

The walk route will be developed in collaboration with NBK Parks to align with their current priorities. Neighborhood residents and NBK Parks supporters will be invited to participate in the walk via social media channels. The project will be led by Assistant Professor Dr. Yuliya Dzyuban, an expert in pedestrian-level heat exposure assessment, and Research Assistant Kasturi Sudesh Salvi, who will support fieldwork activities and data mapping. The results of the project will be presented to NBK Parks and North Brooklyn community-based organizations.