Could urban greening mitigate suburban thermal inequity?: the role of residents’ dispositions and household practices

Abstract

Over the past decade research on urban thermal inequity has grown, with a focus on denser built environments. In this letter we examine thermal inequity associated with climate change impacts and changes to urban form in a comparatively socio-economically disadvantaged Australian suburb. Local urban densification policies designed to counteract sprawl have reduced block sizes, increased height limits, and diminished urban tree canopy cover (UTC). Little attention has been given to the combined effects of lower UTC and increased heat on disadvantaged residents. Such impacts include rising energy expenditure to maintain thermal comfort (i.e. cooling dwellings). We used a survey of residents (n=230) to determine their perceptions of climate change impacts; household energy costs; household thermal comfort practices; and dispositions towards using green infrastructure to combat heat. Results suggest that while comparatively disadvantaged residents spend more on energy as a proportion of their income, they appear to have reduced capacity to adapt to climate change at the household scale. We found most residents favoured more urban greening and supported tree planting in local parks and streets. Findings have implications for policy responses aimed at achieving urban climate justice.

Cultivating climate justice: Green infrastructure and suburban disadvantage in Australia

“…Such construction materials are associated with intensified urban heat island effects (Watkins, Palmer, & Kolokotroni, 2007). Study area residents are comparatively disadvantaged and are potentially more vulnerable to heat due to the proportion of lower income service-sector and construction workers, larger numbers of children and older residents, and higher mortgage costs when compared to household expenditure (Byrne et al, 2016). Many residents face higher energy costs related to cooling their dwellings.…”

Energy Justice in Slum Rehabilitation Housing: An Empirical Exploration of Built Environment Effects on Socio-Cultural Energy Demand

“…They used a dynamic socio-economic panel data and geospatial dataset to determine the spatial location of solar PV panel installation for energy equity. Similarly, Byrne et al (2016) [48] examined the potential of urban greening in reducing thermal inequality in Australia. The authors used a practice-based lens to understand occupants' disposition towards using green infrastructure to combat heat stress.…”

Perceived heat stress increases with population density in urban Philippines

“…So in certain areas of high density where gentrification might become an issue, alterations to houses themselves might be preferred as a more equitable adaptation strategy. As it is, high levels of heat stress in the Philippines may aggravate climate injustice since the burden of climate change will be felt most by the poorest segment of the city [12,67] especially if exacerbated by green inequality from poor policies and urban planning [68].…”

“…Labour productivity and economic losses can also occur from a higher heat-related work accident frequency [10]. Other socio-economic impacts of heat include increased energy demand, mostly for air-conditioning [11,12], more crime and violence [13] and higher rates of migration [14,15].…”