Studies show some neighborhoods in Dallas are 10 degrees higher than others because of the infrastructure and lack of greenery."It's been known for a long time that it is one of the worst urban heat islands in the country," said Dr. Rose Jones, a medical anthropologist with Rapid Anthropology Consulting.It showed neighborhoods like Love Field, Medical District, Oak Lawn, Oak Cliff and Deep Ellum with higher temperatures than areas like William Blair Jr. Park with more greenery.
Studies showed the industrial-commercial areas with uniform building layouts had more concentrated heat throughout the day. Meanwhile, fully shaded streets reduce residents' exposure to high temperatures. Large preserved nature areas were also cooler throughout the day. Unlike green areas with trees and water, neighborhoods with more asphalt and cement will get hotter because heat traps in that material. Car emissions and air conditioning pollution can make it worse too.
"Extreme heat is the number one health and death threat from climate change," said Dr. Jones."We know certain particular areas that lack green space, that lack tree cover historically from poor marginalized Black and Brown communities tend to have less nature infrastructure if you will. And as a result, their temperatures can be quite higher than other areas of town."
Dr. Jones believes this is a public health concern. She said every city needs a climate action plan that prioritizes heat. Planting greenery is the obvious long-term solution, but Dr. Jones said there are other ways like painting roads and roofs white or installing cooling pavements to help immediately. She said more needs to be done to help Dallas residents.
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