Publication Date

Spring 2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor

Dustin Mulvaney; Bo Yang; Ahoura Zandiatashbar

Abstract

In the modern epoch of the Anthropocene, the rapid rise in urban sprawling has prompted a disproportionate exposure to extreme heat within underserved communities. As the global populace becomes increasingly urbanized, the inevitable formation of urban heat islands is becoming an imminent cause of concern for environmental and social justice. Due to an increase in urbanization, anthropogenic activities have not only increased the energy demand for cooling initiatives but also have increased the intensity of heat-related illnesses, such as heart attacks, dehydration, and respiratory diseases. Additionally, urbanization has yielded an unequal distribution of heat exposure and heat-related illnesses, particularly in underserved communities as they are becoming increasingly more vulnerable to extreme heat-related illnesses due to an absence of cooling infrastructures resilient to extreme heat. To analyze the urban heat island (UHI) effect across the Santa Clara County, this study will examine the spatial patterns between vegetation coverage and impervious surface area (ISA) with the overall land surface temperature (LST) across the county through remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems (GIS). This research will also present an exploratory analysis of the disproportionate distribution of urban cooling centers and shade trees within underserved communities across Santa Clara County to analyze the disparities in accessibility to climate cooling adaptations that can mitigate the disproportionate impacts of the UHI effect across underserved communities.

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