Mathematics of Planet Earth

The elevated temperature in urban areas as compared to less developed areas is referred to as the urban heat island effect (UHI). According to the EPA, many U.S. cities have air temperatures up to 22°F (12°C) warmer than the surrounding natural land cover. The difference is usually larger during winter and windless periods. The main trigger of UHI is the massive changes in land surface due to urban development and is exacerbated by the extra heat generated from energy consumption. UHIs can create adverse social, economic, and public health impacts namely increased energy consumption, elevated air pollution, compromised human health and comfort, and degraded water quality. Comprehensive monitoring and impact assessment can help reduce the severity of UHIs. The goal of this workshop is to bring together a group of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in Mathematics, Computer Science, Geography, Public Health, Ecology, and Environmental Science to discuss ways to accurately monitor and mitigate UHI impacts in urban communities. The presentations and discussion will be categorized into three themes namely “Innovative UHI monitoring strategies”, “Public health impact of UHI”, “Impact of UHIs on other urban environmental resources”. A secondary goal of this workshop is to form a “UHI Impact Analysis Working Group” for future collaborative research efforts.