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Urban Heat Island Effect 2015

VIEW Proposals
Proposal creation

CoLab members create proposals

Oct 1, 2014 12:00 EDT - Feb 6, 2015 11:59 EST
Semi-Finalist selection
Expert judges select semi-finalists

Feb 7, 2015 12:00 EST - Feb 17, 2015 11:59 EST
Proposal revisions
Semi-finalists can improve their proposals

Feb 18, 2015 12:01 EST - Mar 1, 2015 11:59 EST
Finalist selection
Expert judges select finalists

Mar 2, 2015 12:01 EST - Mar 6, 2015 12:00 EST
Voting period
Public Voting Period

Mar 6, 2015 12:01 EST - Apr 1, 2015 12:00 EDT
Completed
Winners are awarded

Apr 1, 2015 12:01 EDT
How can we effectively mitigate the urban heat island effect in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

The “urban heat island” effect (UHI) describes the phenomenon of a region, a city or an area within a city being significantly warmer than its surroundings. UHI is the result of several factors, most notably a lack of tree cover, and extensive paved surfaces and dark roofs. On average, the difference in daytime surface temperatures between developed and rural areas is 18 to 27 °F (10 to 15°C). There are several negative impacts of UHI. Higher temperatures result in additional air conditioning load on buildings, increasing energy use and creating additional waste heat that adds to the UHI effect. Higher temperatures also present a range of public health risks from heat stress and temperature-related degradation of air quality (e.g., greater ozone formation at higher temperatures) which are particularly relevant for the elderly, the young, and people with compromised health. Warmer temperatures induced by climate change will exacerbate the UHI effect and increase the impacts of UHI. The City of Cambridge seeks innovative, realistic, actionable, and location-based strategies to mitigate UHI. Effective policies, programs, incentives, and/or regulatory ideas should be specific and measurable.

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16 Proposals
Apr 17, 2021
Team only
City-led actions limit solar heat island pollution and measure results by tracking lower hospital-related respiratory admissions
Nov 3, 2015
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Oct 22, 2015
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Jun 12, 2015
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Algae Frames to handle Co2 emission and Global Warming
Apr 20, 2015
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Fresh Pond can be a focal point for UHI mitigation RD&D/community outreach efforts. Management, funding and STEM issues are addressed below.
Mar 2, 2015
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UHI mitigation through visualizing, quantifying, mapping and monitoring urban waste heat from house to city: Education & Engagement
Mar 1, 2015
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The Cool Cash Program incentivizes efficient home cooling, generates community cooling opportunities & reduces waste heat additions to UHI.
Mar 1, 2015
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Apply ancient Roman invention (the velarium) imbedded w/thin-film solar cells above urban hot spots to disrupt heat island effect.
Mar 1, 2015
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Lighten all municipal parking lot surface temps with white paint & healthy tree boats
Mar 1, 2015
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MIT's flat roofs are the largest contributor to Cambridge's UHI; The best chance to reduce the city's temp is to cover them with vegetation.
Feb 28, 2015
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Urban Forests, a living infrastructure, consist of private and public trees. Both need legal protection
Feb 27, 2015
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Solar PV panels generate electricity and insulate the building! Solar hot water panels capture the sun's heat directly and store it in water
Feb 27, 2015
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Depave driveways to decrease urban heating!
Feb 27, 2015
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District geothermal loops allow property owners to install geothermal heat pumps when they cannot create geothermal loops on their property.
Feb 19, 2015
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Roofs can be planted with special plants. Multiple advantages: less urban heat island, better insulation, water retention and a nicer view.
Jan 20, 2015
Team only
Combining technology such as algae powered lamps and infrared heating systems; we could create limitless applications to reduce urban heat.