The Melting Metropolis team is keen for our research, and our community and public engagement, to inform policy-making on urban climate change. We work with policy-makers and planners, alongside advocacy groups, to help secure healthier and more equitable futures within urban heat islands.
Learn more about extreme heat in New York City
Cool It! NYC
Run by NYC Department of Parks, this guide to see how your neighborhood measures up in terms of water features, drinking fountains, and tree cover. This includes urban heat island impacts.
Heat Vulnerability Index
This interactive map identifies by neighborhood the percentage of households with air conditioning, average household income, the percentage of the neighborhood covered by green space, and daytime summer surface temperature. These factors create “The Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI).
Figure: Spray showers cooling map via NYC Parks.
Figure: Heat Vulnerability Index via nyc.gov Environmental Health & Data Portal."
Environment Justice Campaigns on Extreme Heat in NYC
WE ACT for Environmental Justice - Heat, Health, & Equity Program
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance – Extreme Heat & Air Quality Campaign
City Legislation Related to Extreme Heat
New York City Council Legislation on the “right to cooling”
Intro 0994/Tenant’s Right to Cooling – Requires landlords to provide and maintain cooling devices to keep homes no hotter than 78°F in the summer.
Intro 0998/Cooling Center Bill – Establishes a permanent cooling center program for vulnerable populations.
Intro 0928/Cool Pavement Pilot – Launches a pilot project for cool pavement to reduce urban heat.