Heat Action Planning

In Greater Phoenix, urban heat is impacting health, safety, and the economy and these impacts are expected to worsen over time. The number of days above 110˚F are projected to more than double by 2060. In May 2017, The Nature Conservancy, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network, Arizona State University’s Urban Climate Research Center, and Center for Whole Communities launched a participatory Heat Action Planning effort to identify both strategies to reduce heat and improve the ability of residents to deal with heat.

Community-based organization RAIL CDC joined the project after the Mesa Care Neighborhood was selected as one of three neighborhoods for the project. Catholic Charities Care Campus soon became another key collaborator. Beyond building a community Heat Action Plan and completing demonstration projects, this project was designed to develop awareness of urban heat and to build better relationships between neighbors, organizations, community leaders, and decision-makers to do something about the issue of increasing heat. Storytelling wisdom and scientific evidence were used to understand the challenges that residents face during the hot summer months.

Heat Action Planning Guide
Executive Summary

Primary concerns voiced by residents in the Mesa Care Neighborhood during workshops include:

• The need for shade, especially along routes to school or during long wait times at traffic lights

• Access to drinking water

• Connectivity from the community to broader transportation routes

• Safety for children and the elderly, especially those living alone

• Need for advocacy for urban heat solutions