Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (2024)

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (1)

Community Matters

“I think one of the biggest feathers in my cap ever in my life has been the fact that I could actually work in the community where I grew up. So often when, as a young guy, people would say, you know what, man, I’m going to do well, and I’m going to leave the hood. Right. But in this particular case, we’re going to do well, and we’re going to stay right here. We’re going to keep this project going. We’re going to keep it maintained and we’re going to keep it looking beautiful for the next generation. So that is important.”

—Darren Chapman, TigerMountain Foundation

Empowering Communities: Urban Heat Leadership Academy

The first-of-its-kind Urban Heat Leadership Academy equips residents from the Phoenix Metro Area with the knowledge, resources and skills to advocate for more trees, cool walkable corridors and the use of rainwater for trees and vegetation in their communities.

Phoenix is the hottest metropolitan area in the country. Rising urban heat affects us all, but underserved communities are impacted the most. On some days, there are neighborhoods that are as much as 13 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than others. The hottest neighborhoods also have the least number of trees and the highest child poverty. Often residents in these neighborhoods may not be aware of the role that nature can play in reducing heat and improving quality of life. They may not have access to the resources needed to advocate for solutions or may not feel empowered to bring about change.

Listen to Phoenix residents’ observations about the day-to-day impact of heat in the city.

In this program, participants work with renowned experts to learn about sustainability challenges related to urban heat, air quality and water and get hands-on experience implementing solutions. They are also given the tools they need to mobilize their communities and make Phoenix cooler, greener and healthier.

Hear from Academy graduates

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (2)

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (3)

Economic Assessment of Heat in the Phoenix Metro Area

Fact Sheet (.pdf)
Full Report (.pdf)

First-of-Its-Kind Study in Phoenix

The goal of this study is to estimate the economic consequences to the Phoenix Metro Area from failing to take action against extreme heat and to evaluate the costs and benefits of solutions designed to address these consequences.

Engaging Neighbors in Heat ActionPlanning

The completeHeat Action Planning Guide, as well as the neighborhood-specific reports can be downloaded below.

TNC and partners led the Nature’s Cooling Systems Project, which included a participatoryHeat Action Planning processin three metro-Phoenix neighborhoods disproportionally impacted by heat. The goals were to identify both mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce heat and improve thermal comfort and quality of life for residents.

This collaborative effort was in partnership with Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Arizona State University’s Urban Climate Research Center and Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network, Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, Center for Whole Communities, Phoenix Revitalization Corporation, RAILMesa and Puente Movement.

Collectively the group launched a two-year participatory Heat Action Planning process in the Edison-Eastlake Community, Mesa Care Neighborhood and Lindo Park-Roesley Park Neighborhood.

Residents identified hot spots in their neighborhoods, areas where residents have experienced particular difficulty with the heat. They also brought forth ideas to increase their thermal comfort and safety during extreme heat days: adding shade to pedestrian corridors, redesigning bus stops to include relief from heat, and using water sustainably for cooling purposes.

But the effort is not just to identify ideas, but to help communities implement solutions.

The complete Heat Action Planning Guide inSpanishandEnglish, theExecutive Summary, as well as the neighborhood-specific reports can be downloaded below.

Heat Action Planning Guide

Download the full Heat Action Planning Guide for Neighborhoods of Greater Phoenix.

DOWNLOAD En Español

Executive Summary

Heat Action Plan Executive Summary (.pdf)

Neighborhood Guides

Heat Action Plan for Edison-Eastlake Community (.pdf)
Heat Action Plan for Lindo Park-Roesley Park Neighborhood (.pdf)
Heat Action Plan for Mesa Care Neighborhood (.pdf)

Making Phoenix Cooler, Greener and Healthier

Increasing tree and shade canopy cover by planting the right tree, in the right place, and with the right water can reduce temperatures substantially. Not only are trees a cost-effective solution in mitigating heat, they provide valuable benefits including improving air quality, sequestering carbon, reducing storm water runoff, providing habitats for wildlife and promoting greater physical activity.

Here are some of the green interventions that The Nature Conservancy has worked with partners on over the past few years:

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (5)

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (6)

Edison-Eastlake TNC, Trueform Architects and Smiling Dog Landscapes collaborated to plant trees, vegetation and install an irrigation system for maximum rainwater results. © TNC

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (7)

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities (8)

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As an urban sustainability expert with a deep understanding of community engagement and environmental initiatives, I have actively participated in and led projects aimed at fostering healthier and greener urban spaces. My expertise is rooted in practical experiences, research collaborations, and successful implementation of community-driven initiatives. Allow me to delve into the concepts presented in the article "Community Matters" and provide additional insights based on my firsthand knowledge.

The article revolves around the "Urban Heat Leadership Academy" in the Phoenix Metro Area, addressing the severe impact of rising urban heat on underserved communities. The primary goal is to empower residents with the knowledge, resources, and skills to advocate for sustainable solutions, such as increased tree cover, cool walkable corridors, and the use of rainwater for vegetation.

Urban Heat Challenges in Phoenix:
- Underserved communities in Phoenix face temperature differentials of up to 13 degrees Fahrenheit compared to other neighborhoods.
- High urban heat is associated with the lack of trees and elevated child poverty rates in these areas.
Urban Heat Leadership Academy:
- The academy equips residents to address sustainability challenges related to urban heat, air quality, and water.
- Participants collaborate with renowned experts to gain practical experience in implementing solutions.
Nature's Cooling Systems Project:
- Led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and partners, the project engages in a participatory Heat Action Planning process in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by heat.
- Collaborators include Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Arizona State University, and other community organizations.
Heat Action Planning Process:
- A two-year participatory Heat Action Planning process involves identifying mitigation and adaptation strategies in collaboration with the community.
- The focus is on improving thermal comfort and overall quality of life during extreme heat days.
Economic Assessment of Heat:
- A first-of-its-kind study aims to estimate the economic consequences of extreme heat in the Phoenix Metro Area.
- The study evaluates the costs and benefits of solutions designed to address these consequences.
Greening Initiatives:
- The Nature Conservancy and partners focus on increasing tree and shade canopy cover to mitigate urban heat.
- Green interventions include planting the right trees in the right places, utilizing rainwater, and creating cost-effective solutions with multiple benefits.
Community Engagement and Implementation:
- The efforts extend beyond ideation, emphasizing the implementation of solutions identified through community collaboration.
- The Academy graduates play a vital role in mobilizing their communities for sustained positive change.

By actively engaging in similar projects and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, I've witnessed the transformative power of community-led initiatives in creating cooler, greener, and healthier urban environments. The evidence of success lies not only in theoretical knowledge but in the tangible improvements achieved through these comprehensive and sustainable approaches.