CLIMATE JUSTICE
Urban Heating in Los Angeles
Woodbury University | Instructor: Joshua G. Stein
The visual document is created with different graphic data such as maps, Images, and scanning 3D objects to direct the public to a more optimistic vision of the logical world and urban heating in Los Angeles. The project describes the theories and debates that are currently animating architectural practice and discourse are examined, including the impacts of context, technology, sustainability, alternative approach, sociology, and philosophy, addressing the thematic issues put forth in WSOA’s Year of Climate Justice through readings and discussions around the Anthropocene and human-induced changes in the environment. A range of digital techniques—including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to access geospatial databases and satellite imagery, as well as photogrammetry reality capture to produce 3D digital scans—integrated with more traditional map-making, diagramming, drawing, and storytelling techniques, was employed to help expand the public imagination and dialog around climate justice.
Examination of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect using QGIS vector data mapping.
The San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys experience higher temperatures compared to coastal areas due to geographical factors. The presence of surrounding mountains in these valleys blocks the cooling breezes coming from the ocean, resulting in the retention of warm, dry air within the valley bowl.
As cities replace natural land cover with extensive amounts of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat, several adverse effects arise. This transformation leads to increased energy costs, particularly in terms of air conditioning usage.
3D walk-through experience that involves capturing and scanning trees.
Heat Island Arise when darker ones, like roads and buildings, replace lighter and cooler materials like grass, trees, and soils. This darkening-off color increases the observations of sunlight while loss of vegetation decreases cooling.
The difference in surface temperature between shaded and unshaded asphalt was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Human activities in populated areas contribute to higher temperatures compared to the surrounding rural areas.
the heat-absorbing surfaces intensify the prevalence of heat-related illnesses and mortality rates, posing significant risks to public health.
Impacts of extreme heat on behavior and psychiatric conditions.
Students who lived in air-conditioned dormitories had significantly better functions than an equally matched group of students who lived in non–air-conditioned dorms.
Impacts of extreme heat on everyday life.
Climate change harms youth mental health when directly impacted by disasters such as wildfires, extreme heat waves, and severe weather events disrupting everyday life and separating people from communities.