Thermal Inequity in Richmond, VA: The Effect of an Unjust Evolution of the Urban Landscape on Urban Heat Islands

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is caused by intensive development practices in cities and the diminished presence of green space that results. evolution these phenomena has occurred over many decades. In cities, historic zoning redlining barred Black minority groups from moving into predominately white areas obtaining financial resources, a practice still affects today, forced already disadvantaged to live some hottest areas. this study, we used new dataset on spatial distribution temperature during wave Richmond, Virginia investigate potential associations between extreme current historical demographic, socioeconomic, land use factors. We assessed data at census block level determine if blocks with large differences also had significant variation covariates. amount canopy cover, percent impervious surface, poverty were all shown be strong correlates UHI when analyzed conjunction afternoon temperatures. found policies planning decisions using University Richmond’s Digital Scholarship Lab’s “Mapping Inequality” project. Finally, Church Hill area city provided an interesting case study due recent suggesting area’s gentrification. Differences demographics, socioeconomic factors, observed north (more gentrified) south Hill. Both Richmond overall, our research occupied people low status or disproportionately experienced corresponding impacts health quality life.