Urban Heat Island and Climate Change: An Assessment of Interacting and Possible Adaptations in the Camden, New Jersey Region: Research Project Summary
Date
2004-04
Date Removed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology
Abstract
The urban heat island effect is a critical factor for air quality management and public health in urbanized
areas of New Jersey. This effect is related to an increase in temperatures in urban areas as compared to
surrounding lower density rural sites. The overall goal of the project was to contribute to effective regional
environmental management under conditions of climate change. The related objective of the project was to
examine the interactions between future climate change, the urban heat island effect, and potential adaptation strategies. The project consisted of two parts, one focusing on the analysis of the urban heat island
phenomenon in the greater Camden region, the other focusing on mitigation strategies for the urban heat
island in the city of Camden and adjoining communities. The urban heat island was examined under current
and projected climate conditions in the greater Camden, New Jersey, region through spatial analysis of
remotely-sensed thermal data and statistical analysis of meteorological station data collected at six urban
and suburban stations. Mitigation strategies for the urban heat island effect, including increased urban
vegetation and lighter-colored surfacing, were explored using CITYgreen™, a threshold GIS and modeling
application developed by the American Forestry Association. This project in Camden is associated with the
U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Description
Prepared by William D. Solecki, Gregory Pope, Mark Chopping, Montclair
State University, Cynthia Rosenzweig, Richard Goldberg, NASA/GISS and Alexander Polissar, NJDEP, Division of Science, Research
and Technology.
Keywords
New Jersey