111026 - Could urban greening mitigate suburban thermal inequity 1.pdf (3.27 MB)
Download fileCould urban greening mitigate suburban thermal inequity?: the role of residents dispositions and household practices
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 21:51 authored by Jason ByrneJason Byrne, Ambrey, C, Portanger, C, Lo, A, Matthews, T, Baker, D, Aidan DavisonAidan DavisonOver the past decade research on urban thermal inequity has grown, with a focus on denser built environments. In this paper we examine thermal inequity associated with climate change impacts and changes to urban form in a comparatively socio-economically disadvantaged Australian suburb. Local urban densification policies designed to counteract sprawl have reduced block sizes, increased height limits, and diminished urban tree canopy cover (UTC). Little attention has been given to the combined effects of lower UTC and increased heat on disadvantaged residents. Such impacts include rising energy expenditure to maintain thermal comfort (i.e. cooling dwellings). We used a survey of residents (n = 230) to determine their perceptions of climate change impacts; household energy costs; household thermal comfort practices; and dispositions towards using green infrastructure to combat heat. Results suggest that while comparatively disadvantaged residents spend more on energy as a proportion of their income, they appear to have reduced capacity to adapt to climate change at the household scale. We found most residents favoured more urban greening and supported tree planting in local parks and streets. Findings have implications for policy responses aimed at achieving urban climate justice.
History
Publication title
Environmental Research LettersVolume
11Issue
9Article number
095014Number
095014Pagination
1-16ISSN
1748-9326Department/School
School of Geography, Planning and Spatial SciencesPublisher
UKPlace of publication
Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.Rights statement
Copyright 2016 IOP Publishing. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Repository Status
- Open