The City of La Crosse, Wisconsin, wants to explore different heat mitigation strategies, specifically those incorporating urban green space expansion. Through a combination of meta-analysis of current literature and interviews with local and regional experts in a variety of heat and planning fields, this report addresses the heat island effect and its impacts on the La Crosse community, then analyzes policy options to mitigate heat effects through the expansion of green spaces within the city. The authors recommend a combination of tree canopy and pocket park expansion within census tracts that lack access to urban green space and contain vulnerable populations.
Information
- Authors: Ariana Hammersmith, Mark Moralez, Sara Pabich, Andrew Pietroske, Samuel Russell, and Mitchell Wenzel
- Client: The City of La Crosse
- Course: Spring 2023 Workshop in Public Affairs, PA 869, taught by Manny Teodoro