Heat Mitigation Plan
Heat remains to be one of our region’s top sustainability challenges, with far-reaching impacts on our community's health, infrastructure, environment and economic well-being. In 2020, Scottsdale partnered with Arizona State University to assess patterns of urban heat in the city Scottsdale and identify promising cool strategies. We are also currently working to incorporate many of these recommendations from the Identifying Strategies for a Cooler Scottsdale study into the city’s first Heat Mitigation Plan.
Contact Information
Lisa McNeilly
Sustainability Director
P: 480-312-2831
lmcneilly@scottsdaleaz.gov
Identifying Strategies for a Cooler Scottsdale
In the Identifying Strategies for a Cooler Scottsdale study, the ASU team identified three broad goals and a total of 29 suggested strategies for accomplishing these goals. These goals and strategies will be considered for use in developing the city’s first Heat Mitigation Plan.
Three Broad Goals from the Identifying Strategies for a Cooler Scottsdale study (ASU)
- Increase tree canopy, particularly along frequently traveled pedestrian walkways and along the south and west facades of buildings;
- Reduce the land area of exposed dark asphalt, dark roofs, and other hot surfaces;
- Improve and increase pedestrian shade amenities through building-integrated and free-standing shade structures, particularly along frequently traveled walkways and in locations that support public transportation.
Cooler Scottsdale Story Map
Community Engagement and Communications
Share your ideas with the city
Please make sure your voice is heard! The City of Scottsdale invites your feedback about heat and the proposed recommendations for achieving a cooler Scottsdale.
Beat the Heat Program
Bring summer relief for home-bound Scottsdale Seniors in need.
This program serves two equally important functions. First, we serve homebound seniors with heat relief items to help keep them cool during the summer. Second, City of Scottsdale staff and volunteers assess the needs of our vulnerable seniors and help connect to any needed resources. We rely on monetary donations and needed items to make this program possible.
Vista Del Camino & Heat Relief Network
It’s hot outside, but did you know Scottsdale is a proud partner of Maricopa’s Heat Relief Network? This week on Podsdale, sit down with Andy Passmonick and Ray Gomez from Vista Del Camino Community Center to learn how residents can find some relief from the heat, and the ways Scottsdale supports its vulnerable residents all year round.
Heat Safety and Related Resources
Statewide Cooling Centers Map
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), University of Arizona (UA), and Yuma County Public Health Services District developed an interactive map of cooling centers, hydration stations, and collection/donation sites. Users can find locations of:
- Cooling centers
- Hydrations Stations
- Collection/Donation Site
Each location on the map provides the address, hours and contact information.
The Nature Conservancy
In this video, Aaron Gettel, Epidemiologist at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health covers who is most vulnerable to heat, tips for staying safe during extreme heat days, signs to watch for heat-illness and where you can learn more.
Resources from Partner Sites
The following organizations have additional content, fact sheets, brochures, videos and downloads related to extreme heat.
Downloads from Maricopa County