Heat Island Assessment and Mitigation for Montclair

New Jersey is warming at a rate higher than most other states in the US, posing a great threat to the state’s urbanized areas. In the past 125 years, global temperatures have increased by 1 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit, while New Jersey has warmed by 3.5 degrees. Typical urban environments lack vegetation and have a high amount of impervious surfaces that absorb heat, leading to urban heat islands (UHIs). The resulting increase in surface temperatures and impaired air quality found in UHIs pose various health hazards to those who live and work in these areas. Ground-level ozone increases with rising surface temperatures, so many populations in the area risk developing asthma. Heat-related illnesses and death are also a threat in UHIs, so it is vital to locate vulnerable populations in or around these areas. The following research aims to mitigate the urban heat island effect in the township of Montclair through the assessment of hotspots and a proposed course of action. The location of hot spots was derived from Sustainable Jersey’s heat island map, which used LANDSAT 8 imagery to determine surface temperatures. Observed hot spots were typically the result of dark-colored roofs or asphalt, with one area of concern being the United States Post Office. The hot spot’s corresponding social vulnerability index and percentage of tree canopy cover stipulated the course of action for a particular area. Some proposed methods of mitigation were cool pavements, cool roofing, and the addition of vegetation.