US cities bid to cool down with smart surfaces

Amid record heatwaves, five US mayors have joined a multi-year project focused on cooling cities with ‘smart surfaces’ such as reflective roofs and pavements, green roofs, solar energy, porous pavements, rain gardens and trees.

The mayors of Atlanta, Boston, Columbia (South Carolina), Dallas, and New Orleans signed up for the Smart Surfaces Coalition’s ‘Cities for Smart Surfaces’ programme, joining the city of Baltimore.

Through the initiative, funded by the Waverley Street Foundation and The JPB Foundation, cities will receive satellite data, analysis and mapping to help them optimise city surface interventions that combat the impacts of climate change. They will gain access to a cost-benefit analysis tool to quantify the impacts of implementing a range of smart surfaces.

Funding guidance and policy implementation support will also be provided.

According to Smart Surfaces Coalition analysis conducted with the City of Baltimore, smart surfaces can cool cities by 5°F and provide US$10 in benefits and cost savings for every US$1 spent. Other benefits include large reductions in flooding and resulting mould.

Heat islands

The announcement comes during scorching heatwaves across the US and other parts of the world this summer.

“This July 4 was the hottest day on Earth in recorded history. City residents worry and need city leaders to understand which surfaces can deliver cooler, healthier neighbourhoods, save money and be implemented immediately,” said Greg Kats, founder and CEO of the Smart Surfaces Coalition. “When cities embrace smart surfaces — from rooftops to roads — residents win.”

The Coalition includes over 40 partner organisations such as the National League of Cities, American Lung Association, World Cement Association, World Resources Institute (WRI), and WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

“Climate change is a lived reality for the city of New Orleans. From rapidly intensifying hurricanes and rainstorms to lengthier heat waves, the city continues to prepare for increased climate risks to our citizens and infrastructure,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “We were impressed by the results from the Coalition’s pilot in Baltimore, particularly the overwhelming cost/benefit savings, and look forward to implementing these types of projects throughout our city.”

New analysis from non-profit research group Climate Central found that 41 million people in major US cities live in ‘urban heat islands’, where temperatures are elevated by at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit due to the built environment. Planting street trees and installing cool roofs and pavements are cited as among the ways to reduce local heat islands.