Residents of Chelsea are disproportionately subject to the impact of climate change due to rapid dense urbanization and industrialization. In Chelsea, a city with high concentrations of impervious surfaces, the heat island effect results in urban air temperatures warmer than surrounding suburban areas. The increase in annual temperatures, heat waves caused by climate change, and urban heat island effect can degrade public health, welfare, and living conditions in the City.
Weston & Sampson is assisting the City of Chelsea with a multi-year project to assess urban heat island in the city and design and implementation of mitigation strategies. The project involved civic engagement, urban heat island assessment, and design of urban heat island mitigation strategies, followed by pilot implementation on public properties and final reporting on the case study. The projects enhanced regional heat data and modeling that will be useful in preparedness planning and bringing together municipal and regional departments to collaborate around regional heat efforts. Additionally, Weston & Sampson evaluated the co-benefits of cooling strategies, including flood reduction, water quality improvements, and carbon sequestration. Impacts from the built environment are addressed through long-term planning and the impact of policies that can help shift land use patterns.