Chicago, IL Uses Green Infrastructure to Reduce Extreme Heat

After a 1995 extreme heat event that led to the deaths of several hundred residents, Chicago, Illinois conducted a heat vulnerability assessment. This assessment led to the creation of the Chicago Climate Change Action Plan, which first aimed to address extreme heat events. This led to mitigation efforts such as green roofs, cool pavements, increased tree coverage, and reflective roofing. The vulnerability assessment helped identify urban heat island “hot spots” to prioritize for implementation of these mitigation projects. All of these strategies not only combat the urban heat island effect, but provide the co-benefit of green stormwater management.