Mapping the temperature differences across Vancouver could be key to preventing heat-related mortalities in the future, and SFU research is at the forefront of this endeavor.

This project was undertaken following the heatwave in 2009 that was linked to the deaths of over 100 individuals in Metro Vancouver, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Anders Knudby, SFU assistant professor of geography and project leader, explained, “I started looking into what [local scientists already] knew about the actual heat and how it’s distributed, and we didn’t actually know a lot about that.”

To map these hot spots, Knudby utilized sources including satellite data as well as web stations run by both Environment Canada and Weather Underground. The satellite data revealed detailed thermal images showing temperature variations throughout Vancouver of up to 4–5°C.

By bringing together this data, Knudby was able to make predictions about which areas of Vancouver would experience the most extreme variability in heat.

The warmest regions were those containing large areas of asphalt and concrete, such as parking lots, because of their ability to absorb high quantities of heat. Cooler regions were associated with green spaces such as parks, or areas close to large bodies of water. Stanley Park, for example, is an exceptionally cool location.

“There is an unanswered question, which is whether you are more susceptible to getting sick or dying from hot weather if you live in one of these hot zones,” said Knudby. Based on his findings, he predicts that these mapped hot spots can be linked to mortalities associated with the 2009 heatwave.

While this prediction may seem intuitive, it has not yet been studied in Vancouver. However, research in cities such as Montreal and Paris have already shown that local temperatures do seem to matter in regards to health in the context of a heatwave.

With the information from his project, Knudby hopes to be able to provide guidance for city planners in order to make improved decisions about urban design with temperature in mind.

“[Particularly] with a changing climate, what seems to be happening is that the area becomes hotter overall, and we see a greater frequency of extreme heat events,” Knudby explained.

The next step would be to look into ways to cool down a neighborhood in order to decrease future heat-related mortalities. This could be accomplished by increasing green spaces by planting more street trees or building green roofs. Other options include increasing the reflectivity of roofs by painting them white, and increasing open areas of water.