Urban heat islands (UHIs) are unique phenomena that occur when urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding areas. The primary cause of urban heat islands is the absorption of insolation by urban structures that is nocturnally released. UHIs can cause many problems both environmentally and physically (in terms of human health). In 1998, Chicago joined the EPA’s Urban Heat Island Pilot Project (UHIPP), which aims to mitigate the UHI effect in pilot cities throughout the country. Exactly how effective has UHIPP been in reducing Chicago’s UHI effect? This research examines Chicago’s heat island effect from 1997 (pre-UHIPP) to 2007. Observations of surface temperatures, along with hourly historical air temperature data, and population data provide the information needed to investigate Chicago’s UHI effect. Relationships between temperature and land cover as well as temperature and population will give further indication of the influences of the UHI effect. More specifically, hot spot and cool spot analysis, will give Chicago and other cities an idea of the effectiveness of EPA’s UHIPP in reducing urban heat islands. / Department of Geography

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Extreme Heat Events are the leading cause of weather-related mortalities in the continental United States. Recent publications have suggested that vulnerability to extreme heat is impacted by variations in environmental and socioeconomic conditions, even across small spatial units. This study evaluated the usefulness of socioeconomic variables and satellite-derived environmental measurements as predictors of heat-related vulnerability during the July 14-17, 1995 heat wave in Chicago, IL. Geospatial analysis and statistical processes were implemented to identify and rank characteristics of vulnerable populations. Results suggest population density, educational attainment, age, and financial indicators are among the best predictors of heat vulnerability. Proximity to and intensity of Urban Heat Islands also appears to influence neighborhood vulnerability levels. Identification and mapping of vulnerability variables can distinguish locations of increased vulnerability during extreme weather conditions. These vulnerability maps could be utilized by city officials to plan and implement aid programs to specific high risk neighborhoods before an extreme heat event, and resulting health implications, occur. Continued study and implementation of these variables could also assist in identifying vulnerable populations in other urban environments, improve utilization of location-specific heat warning systems and impact new building policies to decrease vulnerability variables across the country.