RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Where you live could make it more difficult to beat the heat thanks to urban heat islands.
After a study to develop an urban heat island map, City of Raleigh officials are using the data to plan for the future.
"When we have a lot of surfaces like concrete and streets and buildings, those absorb a lot of heat and create urban heat islands," Raleigh sustainability manager Megan Anderson said.
City officials partnered with National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum of Life and Science, Durham County, and Activate Good on a citizen science project to collect data needed to create maps of Raleigh's urban heat islands.
The map shows areas around the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Capital Boulevard, and downtown often get hot and stay hot throughout the day, largely because there are fewer trees and shading to protect from the Sun.
City officials are using the data to make decisions about where more shading and a better tree canopy needs to provided. It's also being used to make decisions about infrastructure.
"If a lot of folks are walking to a bus stop or outside a lot, there aren't as many urban trees," Anderson said.
"We have a cool roadways program where we actually have we piloted a surface treatment you put on that greatly reduces heat and also pollution on the streets," she said.
As the city develops its next 30-year comprehensive plan, urban heat is top of mind.
"That wasn't something we had been talking about this last time," Anderson said. "We are thinking about how that will impact our development and how do we make our spaces more resilient to climate change as we're growing."
With development not slowing down in Raleigh anytime soon, planning ahead for future heat waves is more critical than ever before.
Planting trees or greenery around your home can help mitigate the effects of heat islands. The city has programs to people help get more trees around their homes and neighborhoods.
