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High Spatial Resolution Thermal Remote Sensing of the Urban Heat Island Effect: Assessment of Risks to Human Health and Development of Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable CitiesThe growth of cities, both in population and in areal extent, appears as an inexorable process. Urbanization continues at a rapid rate, and it is estimated that by the year 2025, 80% of the world's population will live in cities. One of the more egregious side effects of urbanization is the deterioration in air quality as a result of increased vehicular traffic, industrialization and related activities. In the United States alone, under the more stringent air quality guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1997, nearly 300 counties in 34 states will not meet the new air quality standards for ground level ozone. The mitigation of one the physical/environmental characteristics of urbanization known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect, is now being looked at more closely as a possible way to bring down ground level ozone levels in cities and assist states in improving air quality. The UHI results from the replacement of "natural" land covers (e.g., trees, grass) with urban land surface types, such as pavement and buildings. Heat stored in these surfaces is released into the air and results in a "dome" of elevated air temperatures that presides over cities. The effect of this dome of elevated air temperatures is known as the UHI, which is most prevalent about 2-3 hours after sunset on days with intense solar radiation and calm winds. Given the local and regional impacts of the UHI, there are significant potential affects on human health, particularly as related to heat stress and ozone on body temperature regulation and on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In this study we are using airborne and satellite remote sensing data to analyze how differences in the urban landscape influence or drive the development of the UHI over four U.S. cities. Additionally, we are assessing what the potential impact is on risks to human health, and developing mitigation strategies to make urban areas more environmentally sustainable.
Document ID
20020050357
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Quattrochi, Dale A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Luvall, Jeffrey C.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Rickman, Douglas L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Estes, Maurice G., Jr.
(Universities Space Research Association Huntsville, AL United States)
Laymon, Charles A.
(Universities Space Research Association Huntsville, AL United States)
Crosson, William
(Universities Space Research Association Huntsville, AL United States)
Howell, Burgess F.
(Universities Space Research Association Huntsville, AL United States)
Gillani, Noor V.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL United States)
Arnold, James E.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Meeting Information
Meeting: North American Urban Heat Island Summit
Location: Toronto
Country: Canada
Start Date: May 1, 2002
End Date: May 4, 2002
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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