conclusion

Surface heat does not manifest itself in an even fashion across New York City. Some neighborhoods - those with higher levels of social vulnerability - also show a similar vulnerability to heat during extreme weather events. The city has recognized this as a public health issue, and the cooling centers functioning in NYCHA facilities are mitigating the deleterious effects of urban heat islands.

Nevertheless, the coverage of cooling centers can be improved. We illustrated how using libraries in addition to community and senior centers can expand the services provided by the city to mitigate heat during the summer. This would be, by any measure, a palliative aimed at mitigating the conditions of vulnerability endured by disenfranchised communities all across the five boroughs.

Our research also suggests significant opportunities for further study. For instance, there are additional variables that influence how a heat index is affected by the built environment. For instance, the presence of green roofs, the difference in construction height and building materials, and even the concentration of asphalt and other nonreflective surfaces, could all be taken into consideration for a more holistic analysis of urban heat islands.

Equally important is qualifying the analysis of vulnerable populations in the context of extreme weather. Census and survey data are but glimpses into how these neighborhoods perform in critical situations. Conceptualizing the spatial relationship between social vulnerability and heat must also include research into the resources that each community can mobilize to be safe and overcome the challenges