Health and economic impacts of reducing overheating in cities (HEROIC)

Due to urban features such as large areas of black asphalt and high energy use, cities can become ‘urban heat islands’, with higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This is a global public health problem, particularly during heat waves, leading to reduced productivity and higher morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities. Expansion of urban green infrastructure has the potential to be a mitigation and adaptation measure, with potential health co-benefits. These benefits and costs are not well quantified for either the environment or human health.

We will take an interdisciplinary approach to quantify the health impact of changes to urban green infrastructure. We will also develop an environment and health economics tool, focusing on international cities, including London, Beijing and Nairobi.