Analyzing the urban heat island effect in the city of Westminster, Maryland, with attention to mitigative and adaptive measures

Abstract

Urban Heat Islands (UHI) have many negative health effects on vulnerable populations in urban areas. This research investigates the UHI hazard in the City of Westminster, Maryland by documenting the UHI effect and social vulnerability of the City of Westminster.

312 near surface air temperature measurements for 17 measurement locations were analyzed to determine if there is a UHI in Westminster. Additionally, land surface temperature maps and demographic information were collected to visually determine where the highly vulnerable populations are located, in relation to the heat hazard locations in Westminster. This information indicates where UHI mitigative measures should be located to help those that are most vulnerable in Westminster.