SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL DISTRICT
(SWMD) TRANSFORMATION
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Urban centers across the state exhibit higher temperatures than the surrounding countryside, at times in excess of 10°F, due to the intensity of heat-absorbing materials in downtown districts. Additionally, the relative sparseness of tree canopy and other vegetative cover provides less evaporative cooling and shading. Dallas, with 35 percent impervious surface (i.e., rooftops, parking lots, highways, etc.), is hot – and getting hotter. Urban areas retain heat in the buildings and pavement and are up to 15°F warmer than rural areas where trees and open space are more prevalent. |
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“Human thermal comfort is one of the most important issues for planners to address as communities across the United States continue to get hotter. We live in cities where two neighborhoods, mere miles apart, can differ in temperature by 20 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Hunter Jones, Extreme Heat Risk Initiative Program Manager, National Integrated Heat Health Information System, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Using Evidence to Inspire Our Design |
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Pegasus Park Pilot Study Underway: Sensors Installed!
Texas Trees Foundation has deployed heat sensors off the I-35 corridor, an area recognized by meteorologists with record-breaking temperatures in Texas this summer. Initial surface readings using infrared thermometers reveal that it may be hotter than you think! Temperatures of 104.7°F (grass), 122.1°F (concrete parking lots/sidewalks), and 134.6-157.6°F (vehicle exteriors), indicate an alarming level of urban heat.
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Interview with Dr. Lu Liang
In the month of July, as record-breaking heat waves impact communities worldwide, and the team installs sensors throughout the District to capture meteorological data, some of it pertaining to thermal comfort and heat, it’s exciting that we managed to schedule some time to talk to Dr. Lu Liang. She is a geospatial scientist and assistant professor at the University of North Texas’ (UNT) Department of Geography and the Environment. She uses many techniques, among them, citizen scientists to study the possible link between air pollution and heat in urban areas.
Q: Dr. Liang, tell me about the broader goal of your research, relating to the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant you received with your colleague, Dr. Alex Ponette-Gonzalez (who will be featured in our next newsletter focused on air pollution!)
A: Urban pollution island is a new term, but its similar to urban heat island. Basically, we know that its typically hotter in urban areas more than suburban, but there are few studies that compare the heat influence on pollution in these areas and vice versa, the influence of pollution on heat. For instance, do lower temps mean lower air pollution? The sensors allow us to get these data, like time and location, and how they influence. We’re using a similar approach to the SWMD.
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Summer 2022: How hot is it? |
Thursday, July 21, 2022
3000 Pegasus Park, parking lot
Recorded Time: 4:15PM – 4:22PM
Recorded Air Temperature 100/95F
Data captured by infrared thermometer
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Farbod Tavakkoli prepares meteorological sensors for deployment
Farbod Tavakkoli Khomeini, a PhD candidate in Applied Science at SMU and Data Scientist at the Center for Global Health Impact, has joined our team as an intern. Farbod brings expertise in advanced statistical modeling and analysis and a great passion for urban green design and eco-health. Welcome aboard Farbod!
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Harry Hines Corridor
Study Public Meeting
August 9, 2022
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Grauwyler Recreation Center
7780 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), in coordination with the City of Dallas, are holding a public meeting to discuss the Harry Hines Corridor Study, launched to help guide future improvements to the roadway, and to modernize and improve mobility throughout the corridor while also making it safer.
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“I’m really hoping that we can bring a new vision of how we create our cities, because that is our legacy that we leave. Now that we know, we’ve got to change.” (Featured from TTF Archives)
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Key Findings:
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Hottest areas of Dallas measured an AVERAGE HIGH of 101°F and LOW of nearly 80°F for five full months of the year.
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Heat Kills. Heat-related deaths peaked at 52 in 2011 in Dallas County. Heat-related deaths in the United States account for more deaths annually than all other natural disasters combined.
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Trees Cool. Tree planting in the hottest areas with high density residential was found to reduce deaths by more than 20 percent by merely dropping temperature alone.
(Featured from TTF Archives)
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In 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE). This is the first office of its kind at the national level to address climate change and health equity. The Office’s mission is to protect vulnerable communities who disproportionately bear the brunt of pollution and climate-driven disasters, such as drought and wildfires, at the expense of public health. This is the first edition (June 2022) of the Climate and Health Outlooks. It is an effort to inform health professionals and the public on how our health may be affected by climate events and provide resources to take proactive action.
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Heat related illnesses and death are largely preventable with proper planning, education, and action. Heat.gov serves as the premier source of heat and health information for the nation to reduce the health, economic, and infrastructural impacts of extreme heat. Heat.gov is the web portal for the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS)
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It’s the first city in the world to implement such a program, according to organizers. And it’s launching just in time for another record-breaking hot season.
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A growing number of cities now employ a “chief heat officer” to focus on the risks posed by sweltering temperatures — and to seek opportunities for how to adapt.
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In our efforts to expand engagement and stay connected, we've expanded to LinkedIn! If you are a current LinkedIn member, please like our new page. You’ll find educational content, best practices, and updates on the District’s transformation.
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