UrbanHeatATL is a partnership initiative between the Atlanta Office of Resilience, Spelman College, Georgia Tech, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Harambe House, and Partnership for Southern Equity. Using temperature data collected by volunteers on small sensors during their daily walks, bike rides, or commutes, UbanHeatATL is creating street-level temperature maps for neighborhoods throughout Atlanta. With this data, they will identify areas particularly vulnerable to heat islands. This information will be shared with stakeholders and policymakers to inform adaptation efforts.
Heat islands are urban areas where high concentrations of heat are trapped due to buildings, sidewalks, and lack of green space. Downtown and industrial areas in Atlanta are up to 10+ degrees warmer than their suburban and rural counterparts. Extreme heat increases the risk of heat fatigue, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses – the leading cause of weather-related deaths.
In the face of a worsening climate crisis, heat islands present a severe public health threat, especially for vulnerable populations like children and for Black and brown and low-income families. UrbanHeatATL and community members of Atlanta are creating a healthier, more just, and climate-adaptive city by addressing the impact of heat islands.
© Children’s Environmental Health Network, 2025
