Center for Heat Resilient Communities
Heat poses a growing threat to the economies, health, and security of communities everywhere, yet heat governance remains underdeveloped at all levels, especially in comparison to other hazards. The deadly impacts of heat are worsened by the lack of heat governance institutions, processes, and plans.
While a panoply of federal, state, and local resources and best practices exists, these lessons from the field have yet to be consolidated into actionable and replicable frameworks that can be deployed in diverse community contexts to protect people’s health and well-being where they live, learn, work, and play.
The Center for Heat Resilient Communities brings together a network of researchers, practitioners, and U.S. communities dealing with heat impacts to engage in local heat resilience planning alongside diverse communities across the U.S.
Participating communities will:
- Receive support from heat planning and response experts through access to curated and newly developed tools and capacity-building activities.
- Produce locally tailored heat-action blueprints responding to local contexts and opportunities, and
- Contribute to a growing body of knowledge of heat-action best practices to achieve a “Nation of Heat Resilient Communities.”
The Center for Heat Resilient Communities will:
- Develop a comprehensive framework and set of tools and resources for local heat resilience action.
- Deliver recommendations on how local communities can become more resilient to heat.
The inaugural cohort of communities represents a mix of rural and urban areas and experiences a variety of heat risks, such as health impacts, agricultural losses, and marine heat waves.
Principal Investigators
- Kelly Turner, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Geography, UCLA (lead PI)
- Ladd Keith, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning, University of Arizona (co-PI)
- Sara Meerow, Associate Professor of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University (co-PI)
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Contact Dr. V. Kelly Turner
Ann Arbor, MI. The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations strives to work with all Ann Arborites to ensure it is the most sustainable and equitable city in America.
Boise, ID. The City of Boise, through its Climate Action Division, is committed to bold climate leadership through innovative, community-driven solutions that create green jobs and a new economy for the future while protecting the well-being of all Boiseans.
Charlottesville, VA. The City of Charlottesville Office of Sustainability is a resource and advocate for strategies and actions that contribute to a healthy environment and a resilient Charlottesville.
Erie County, NY. The Erie County Division of Environment and Planning implements programs in partnership with a variety of stakeholders to address the pressing environmental needs and concerns of the region.
Hennepin County, MN. The Hennepin County Department of Climate and Resiliency implements the county’s Climate Action Plan — a framework for how the county cuts greenhouse gas emissions and implements strategies to adapt to the changing climate.
Honolulu, HI. The City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency’s mission is to support the city and county in its vision of a more economically self-sufficient and safer Oʻahu.
Tulsa Metro Area, OK. The Indian Nations Council of Governments works with state and federal governmental agencies to implement clean water, air quality, and energy programs for the region.
To learn more about our heat research, click here.
Jacksonville, FL. The City of Jacksonville Office of Resilience leads the implementation of the Resilient Jacksonville plan to adapt to a changing climate, accommodate a growing population, guide new urban development, and plan for uncertain shocks and stressors.
King County, WA. The King County Executive Climate Office coordinates, elevates, and accelerates climate action across the county.
Laredo, TX. The Rio Grande International Student Center works to preserve and protect the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo, its watershed, and environment.
Lincoln-Lancaster County, NE. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department protects and promotes health for all people in Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Omaha, NE. The City of Omaha Planning Department’s environment and resilience initiatives protect the environment and strengthen Omaha’s ability to adapt to an ever-evolving world.
Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood, Philadelphia, PA. The City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability works with partners around the city to improve the quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Toledo, OH. The City of Toledo Environmental Services Division fights for a higher quality of life for all residents through balanced, responsible environmental protection.
Yolo County, CA. Valley Vision is a civic leadership organization dedicated to improving the livability of the Sacramento region via research, action, and collaboration.
Staff, Core Working Groups, and Advisory Network
