Heat resilient Reading for vulnerable population

This EPSRC-funded IAA project aims to quantify the urban overheating risk and vulnerability in Reading, UK, by integrating earth observation data with crowdsourced data from both official and citizen weather stations.

Extreme heat is a silent killer especially for vulnerable population. ‘Reading Climate Emergency Strategy 2020-25’ highlighted Reading’s exposure to climate change impact especially heatwaves, and the disproportionate burden placed on vulnerable populations, which underlined the need for a just transition to a net zero and resilient Reading by 2030.

However, there is no quantitative study to guide Reading Borough Council’s preparedness and resilience for the risk of urban overheating. By working closely with Reading Borough Council, this project aims to map and assess the urban overheating risk to protect most vulnerable population and reduce the heat inequality in Reading.