What Lessons Can San Antonio Learn from Brisbane's Heat Mitigation Strategies?

In this episode of The Urbanist’s Lens, hosts Drew and Andrea explore how San Antonio can take cues from Brisbane’s innovative heat mitigation strategies to combat extreme heat and promote walkability. They dive into Brisbane’s use of shaded walkways, misting systems, green roofs, and cool pavements, unpacking how these urban cooling solutions create more livable and resilient cities. The discussion highlights the role of thoughtful urban design in addressing rising temperatures, improving public health, and enhancing social equity. Drew and Andrea also consider the challenges of adapting these strategies to San Antonio’s unique climate and urban fabric, offering insights into how cities can balance sustainability, functionality, and community needs.

Whether you’re an urban planner, architect, policymaker, or simply passionate about creating cooler, more walkable cities, this episode delivers fresh perspectives on designing for a hotter future.The Urbanist’s Lens is written and produced by Andro Madrogaba.

REFERENCES

Black-Ingersoll, F., de Lange, J., Heidari, L., Negassa, A., Botana, P., Fabian, M. P., & Scammell, M. K. (2022). A literature review of cooling center, misting station, cool pavement, and cool roof intervention evaluations. Atmosphere, 13(7), 1103. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13071103

Lee, S., Cho, Y.-I., Lee, M.-J., & Lim, Y.-S. (2023). The evaluation of the temperature reduction effects of cool roofs and cool pavements as urban heatwave mitigation strategies. Applied Sciences, 13(20), 11451. https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011451

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, August 9). Using green roofs to reduce heat islands. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-green-roofs-reduce-heat-islands

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, August 9). Using cool pavements to reduce heat islands. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-cool-pavements-reduce-heat-islands

Ulpiani, G., & Zinzi, M. (2023). Experimental assessment of the heat mitigation potential of an urban cooling shelter: Combining water misting with solar shading, wind shield, and smart control. Energy and Buildings, 273, 112434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112434

Santamouris, M., Ding, L., Fiorito, F., & Synnefa, A. (2016). Passive and active cooling for the outdoor built environment—Analysis and assessment of the cooling potential of mitigation technologies using performance data from 220 large scale projects. Solar Energy, 154, 14–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.03.010