Project Information — Urban Resilience Lighthouse

Project information

The need for neighborhood-scale data and community-driven solutions has never been more urgent

Above: Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) for New York City

Extreme heat is a growing public health crisis which disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities in cities like New York. Low-income households and communities of color face higher exposure to extreme heat due to historical housing inequities, inadequate cooling infrastructure, and financial barriers to air conditioning. With climate change driving more frequent and intense heat waves, the need for neighborhood-scale data and community-driven solutions has never been more urgent. Our project aims to bridge this gap by using high-resolution climate modeling and community-based participatory research to better understand and address urban heat risks in NYC.
To translate climate science into actionable resilience strategies, we will develop a fine-scale heat vulnerability index, co-produce future heat maps with community partners, and create an interactive Collaborative Mapping Platform (Co-Map) using ArcGIS StoryMaps. This platform will integrate scientific data with local knowledge, fostering a dynamic dialogue on urban heat and climate justice. By leveraging expertise in climate modeling, urban planning, and community engagement, our team will work alongside NYC agencies and grassroots organizations to ensure that our research leads to meaningful, community-informed adaptation strategies for a hotter future.