Project Description:
A comprehensive heat-vulnerability index is developed at the census block level for Washington, D.C. through compiling data on sixteen different heat exposure and social vulnerability factors including age, socioeconomic status, and chronic health conditions. Hotspots for heat-vulnerability are then identified, positioned at the centroid of each block that holds the maximum index value for the tract it lies within, and these hotspots are analyzed in conjunction with existing cooling center locations and population data to optimize D.C.'s cooling center network for walkability and more manageable service populations. Though Washington, D.C. is the subject of our application of the index, the index framework can be applied to any major metropolitan area across the country, introducing a scalable and innovative approach to analyzing heat-vulnerability and informing decisions on optimizing cooling center availability for the most vulnerable and underserved populations.
