Researchers find that the abandoned land in Houston runs dangerous heat

One afternoon in Texas, some of the Houston neighborhoods get heated much faster than others. New research by Texas A&M University suggests that empty and abandoned land is a major cause.

A new research led by Dr. Dinging Rain, a landscape and civilian planning department, has found that plants can help vacant areas in the cold areas. The abandoned buildings and smooth lots contrary to the contrary, which increases the surface temperature of the ground to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ryan said that very low -income residents run their air conditioning to save money, which exposes more than heat.

“Residents living in these weak areas are more likely to be more likely to heat stroke and other heat -related diseases,” said Ryan. “Due to more empty land and abandoned structures, [these neighborhoods] Keep more heat during the day and experience high temperatures at night, as the concrete absorbs heat and slows it slowly. “

Drone Data shows hotspot

Houston is one of the top 10 famous cities in the United States, and has come out to understand Ryan.

Using more than 1,400 drone images and NASA satellite landset data, it developed a heat map at seven sites, including residential palaces, commercial strips and industrial zones. Each location has samples of both the average temperature and high social risk of the earth, which is a scale for the highest risk communities during destruction.

“The surface type on the empty ground is significant,” said Ryan. “Earth’s surface temperature is higher than many people covered by many plants with bare soil or gravel, though less than many constructed areas.”

According to the study, Houston has about 45 45,000 acres of empty land and 10,000 acres of land abandoned buildings.

Even in industrial areas, a small flag of missing structures can dramatically increase nearby ground temperature.

Walk in danger

High levels of surface can make public places, such as sidewalks and bus stops, dangerously hot.

“Houston is known as an unwanted city.” Low -income people are sometimes forced to walk or walk in this extreme heat with zero shedding, and over time, it is not healthy to be exposed every summer. “

Ryan shared his experience while trying to navigate Houston. “This is a five -minute hiking from my hotel to the pharmacy, but it took me 30 minutes, with no shade, no red lights and no safe place to cross,” Ren said. “On that day, I even got a heat stroke.”

Ren said that at night the heat -absorbed heat and roof heat increases the risk of heat -related disease, while forcing homes to spend more on cooling. The city’s power grid also feels stressful, as residents rely heavily on air conditioning to stay safe.

Green space solution

Although these results show serious health risks, Ryan said small -scale interferences can make a significant difference to weak residents.

“There is a shortage of trees and green space in low -income communities,” said Ryan. “Green infrastructure will really help reduce their risk and encourage healthy, more active life.”

The vacancies can also work as a climate adaptation tool, which is safer outside. “If effectively managed, it can be re -developed as green infrastructure gardens or shade areas to reduce urban heat.”

Ryan plans to extend research by combining his heat data with CDC Health Records. He is writing paper with Jiang Zheng, a doctorate student in urban and regional studies, to study how heat exposure is helpful in the disease.

They hope these results will guide city leaders and planners to prioritize cooling strategies for Houston’s most famous, very weak palaces. Ryan said his lessons could go beyond Houston.

“If this problem also offers one of the fastest growing cities, then the situation can be worse in the shrinking cities,” said Ryan.