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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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5 Proposals
Nov 3, 2015
Team only
Oct 22, 2015
Team only
Mar 1, 2015
Team only
Apply ancient Roman invention (the velarium) imbedded w/thin-film solar cells above urban hot spots to disrupt heat island effect.
Mar 1, 2015
Team only
Lighten all municipal parking lot surface temps with white paint & healthy tree boats
Feb 27, 2015
Team only
Depave driveways to decrease urban heating!