Louisville Gearing Up to Tackle its Urban Heat Island Problem

Louisville has the ignominious distinction of having the largest heat island effect of any of the largest cities in the United States. A new study from the Urban Climate Lab at Georgia Tech suggests ideas for lowering the heat in the city.

1 minute read

April 25, 2016, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

The Ohio River in summer. | photoBeard / Shutterstock

"Mayor Greg Fischer launched a "Cool502" effort on Monday to fight the city's documented problem with urban heat," reports James Bruggers. The mayor's announcement responded to a new study from Georgia Tech about the many negative effects of Louisville's heat problem.

In releasing the city's first heat management report [pdf], which provides neighborhood-by-neighborhood guidance, the mayor called on residents and business owners to take steps to improve the livability of Louisville by reducing heat.

Bruggers also wrote a second article published today, focusing more specifically on the new study that inspired the mayor's announcement. The report also details the benefits the city could achieve by taking steps to alleviate the problem. The same researchers released a report in 2013 finding that Louisville had the most intense heat island effect of any large city in the United States.

FULL STORY: Fischer launches 'Cool502' to fight urban heat

Monday, April 25, 2016 in The Courier-Journal

Environment Urban Development Kentucky Louisville Heat Island Effect Urban Heat Island Urban Climate Lab Academic Studies Cool502 View More

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