Protecting people from extreme heat is one of the key resilience and sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Vulnerable, low-income, and marginalized communities experience the worst of extreme heat and its consequences because they often live in areas with more pavement and fewer trees than wealthier areas. Implementing measures to reduce air temperatures can save lives, improve air quality, and reduce energy use. Roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks cover nearly 40% of an average city, and most of them absorb solar energy and heat our communities. Cool pavements are essential for cooling communities because they reduce surface and air temperatures and store less absorbed heat. This session will cover the science behind the urban heat island effect and real-world examples of how cool pavements reduce temperatures. We will share details of five cool pavement pilot projects of varying sizes and locations across the U.S. as well as how they performed.

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Maria Koetter

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