1 JQL l The Heat Island Mitigation \^/ Strategies Guidebook Overview Urban heat islands describe built-up areas that have temperatures several degrees warmer than nearby rural areas. They are a growing concern for many cities. During the summer, elevated temperatures can increase peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollu- tion levels, and heat-related illness and mortality. Across the nation, there's a growing interest in understanding urban heat islands and reduc ing their impacts. Cities from Seattle to Miami are studying urban climates and developing initiatives that help reduce the impacts of excessive urban heat. These efforts tie in with other programs and policies to improve stormwater management, energy efficiency, public health, and quality of life. To aid these initiatives, EPA is developing a Heat Island Mitigation Strategies Guidebook that describes heat island causes, impacts, and strategies available to prevent or mitigate excessive urban heat. The Guidebook will include: ~ Benefits from reducing summertime urban temperatures. ¦ Background on four mitigation strategies: (1) trees and vegetation, (2) green roofs, (3) cool roofs, and (4) alternative pavement technologies. ¦ Emerging opportunities to collaborate with urban planning, energy, and environment programs that have related goals. ~ Additional technical resources. Who Will Use the Guidebook? The Guidebook is intended to be used by community energy, environmental, and public health planners and policymakers, as well as organizations and businesses interested in pro moting urban comfort, public health, and economic growth. It demonstrates a range of vol- untary and public sector options for reducing heat islands and their impacts. Organizations can use the Guidebook to: ¦ Increase their understanding of heat islands. ¦ Plan and organize heat island mitigation programs and strategies that are appropriate for their communities. ------- ¦ Identify the roles and responsibilities of key decision-makers, such as city councils, boards, or commissions for infrastructure; environmental, energy, and health planners; and non-profit groups involved with tree planting, green roofs, cool roofs, and alterna- tive pavement technologies. ¦ Locate analytic tools and experts. ¦ Learn from other communities' efforts to mitigate heat islands. ¦ Access information resources, funding opportunities, cool material suppliers, installers, and other experts in heat island mitigation, including local, state, and federal govern- ment agencies. ¦ Apply mitigation technologies. una aoo EPA's Beat Island Reduction Initiative The Guidebook is being developed by EPA's Heat Island Reduction Initiative. Through this Initiative, EPA works with community groups, public officials, industry representatives, researchers, and others to identify opportunities to implement mitigation measures. The Initiative focuses on translating relevant research into outreach materials, tools, and guidance that provide communities with information to develop programs and policies to advance heat island reduction (HIRI). National heat island conference calls and a heat island listserv keeps stakeholders informed of HIRI activities. m. INITIATIVE How Do 1 Get More Information? The Heat Island Mitigation Strategies Guidebook will be available online in late 2006 at: www.epa.gov/heatisland. To find out more about EPA's Heat Island Reduction Initiative Program and obtain updates on the Guidebook's availability contact: Eva Wong Mailing Address Phone: 202-343-9343 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Email: wong.eva@epa.gov 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Niko Dietsch Mail Code 6202J Phone: 202-343-9299 Washington, DC 20460 Email: dietsch.nikolaas@epa.gov ------- |