COOLING FUTURE
Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect in Northgate, Seattle, Washington
Jessie Lin | 2024 UW Landscape Architecture | MLA Capstone Studio
In response to the escalating Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, exacerbated by climate change, this project introduces the "Cooling Future Network" in Northgate, Seattle. By strategically employing a combination of green, blue, and grey infrastructures, the network aims to significantly mitigate urban heat.
The Cooling Future Network will initially launch near Northgate's Link and bus stations, a strategic location that ensures maximum accessibility and provides immediate heat relief for daily commuters and local residents. This initial phase aims to transform the local environment, enhancing both environmental and social justice, with the potential for expanding the network throughout Northgate and Seattle, as well as be transferable to other cities.
Contents
SITE
DESIGN
COOLING
Seattle
Heat-related
by
“The 2021 heat wave included Seattle weather station recordings of 102 degrees on June 26, 104 degrees on June 27, and 108 degrees on June 28.”
“a three-day heat wave killed more than 30 people in King County, the highest number of deaths from climate-related disasters in the region's history.”
HEAT ZONES HEAT WAVES CAUSE DEATH
Rooftop without green
COOLING FUTURE
Mitigate Urban Heat Island
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SOCIAL JUSTICE
ONE HEALTH CLIMATE JUSTICE
Health Environmental Health
Health
The project introduces the "Cooling Future" concept, aimed at enhancing environmental and social justice to ultimately achieve climate justice. Through this approach, the initiative seeks to realize the benefits of "One Health," encompassing environmental, human, and animal health, fostering a more sustainable and equitable urban environment.
City Scale Precedent
Singapore - Network of green corridors to mitigate Heat Island Effect
Singapore provides a strong example of how integrating green networks can help mitigate Urban Heat Island effects. The city uses green corridors to connect large parks like the 155-acre Bishan Park, which is up to 3 degrees cooler than nearby residential areas. These corridors enhance city cooling, increase biodiversity, and improve air quality. This method shows how effectively green spaces can be woven into urban planning, offering lessons on expandability, integration, and the wide-ranging benefits to the environment, society, and health.
Neighborhood Scale Precedent
Stuttgart - INTERESS-I project: Urban blue-green infrastructures for combating the Heat Island Effect
The INTERESS-I project aims to combat the Urban Heat Island effect in cities like Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main by enhancing urban design. This initiative focuses on tailoring city structures to better suit climate conditions, water availability, and access to green spaces. It plans to expand both blue and green infrastructures, improving water management and increasing green areas such as parks, roofs, and walls. These changes not only help cool the city by providing shade and lowering surface temperatures but also boost overall environmental health and sustainability.
Toolkits Precedents
Pocket Park
Evergreen Tree
Green Corridor
Green Wall
Green Canopy
Green Rooftop
Permeable Pavement
Reflective Painting
Cooling Pavement
Water Fountain
Beach strawberry
Yarrow Camas
Bog laurel Nootka rose
Hairy honeysuckle
Oregon box
Camellia
Wisley cream Orange honeysuckle
Pacific wax myrtle
Pacific wax myrtle
Dove Tree
Cascara
Hardy rubber tree
Victoria Evergreen Magnolia Boxleaf azara
Huckleberry
Huckleberry Street Roof Garden
Bearberry
Tufted hairgrass
Twinflower Bearberry
Showy fleabane
Ground Cover
Ground Cover
GREEN WALL & ROOF LAWN