Comparing Heat Solutions Across U.S. Cities

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to navigating extreme heat. Each policy comparison examines how three cities address extreme heat within a specific policy area and offers examples cities can use to develop or adapt policies for their own communities. Initially focused on Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans, the series now draws from 18 U.S. cities represented in CATCH’s expanded Urban Heat Action and Policy Database.
Cool Public Spaces

How are Seattle, Chicago, and New York City transforming public spaces into places of refuge during extreme heat?

Power Outages

How are Houston, New York City, and Portland (OR) preparing for power outages during extreme heat?

Renter Protections

How are Portland (OR), Los Angeles, and New York City protecting renters from extreme heat at home?

Young Green Workforce

How are Albuquerque, Seattle, and San Francisco preparing young people for the green workforce?

Inland Flooding

How are inland cities, including Austin, Burlington (VT), and Minneapolis, addressing flooding and extreme heat?

Cool Pavements

How are Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City using cool pavement to help cities beat the heat?

Water Scarcity

How are hot, dry cities growing greener without ignoring water scarcity?

Unhoused Populations

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans protecting people experiencing homelessness from extreme heat?

Resilient Neighborhoods

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans building more resilient neighborhoods?

Heat Communication

How do Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans communicate heat risks?

Urban Heat Islands

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans addressing the urban heat island (UHI) effect?

Greenhouse Gases

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans approaching greenhouse gas emission reduction?

Outdoor Activities

How do Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans making outdoor activities safer during extreme heat?

Public Transit Stops

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans improving shade at public transit stops?

Heat Data

How do Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans use data to guide heat action?

Built Environment

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans rethinking the built environment for a hotter future?

Heat Governance

Who governs the heat response in Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans?

Shade in Cities

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans using shade as a climate adaptation strategy?

Schools and Cooling

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans approaching heat resilience in schools?

Resident Empowerment

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans empowering residents to prepare for extreme heat?

Geography and Climate

How do geography and climate affect approaches to extreme heat intervention in Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans?

Disaster Preparedness

How are Boston, Phoenix, and New Orleans preparing for extreme heat before disaster happens?

Home Cooling

How do government policies and programs for home cooling differ between Boston, New Orleans, and Phoenix?

Energy Assistance

How do Boston, New Orleans, and Phoenix navigate protecting residents who are unable to cool their homes?

Vegetation Initiatives

How do approaches to managing neighborhood heat and cooling through vegetation differ in Boston, New Orleans, and Phoenix?

Heat Worker Protections

How do worker protection laws addressing heat exposure differ in Boston, New Orleans, and Phoenix?

Temperature Ordinances

How do indoor temperature ordinances differ across Boston, New Orleans, and Phoenix?

Analyses done by Madilyn Sandy.
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