Optimizing Green Space–Type Placement to Maximize Overall Land Surface Temperature Reduction

The adverse effects of increasing climate change offer a compelling reason for studying optimal green space–type placement responses. Knowledge of these responses is vital to underserved urban communities, which experience the bulk of repercussions due to climate change. Earlier studies have focused on optimizing green space locations for areas in the southwest United States. Researchers in these studies performed analysis of the direct and indirect land surface temperature benefits of neighboring green spaces but did not factor in varying green space types or budget constraints. Optimal green space–type placement can reduce land surface temperature, increase surface permeability, and increase property sale values. The cumulative effects of these work to ease environmental stressors in disadvantaged communities. Since Alabama, located in the Southeast United States, has been experiencing higher land surface temperatures, more flooding events, and has a population highly vulnerable to these changes, we will show how the optimization model formulated herein is useful as the basis for future planning tools. Specifically, this thesis presents a mathematical model that will optimize green space–type placement and do so in a Tuscaloosa, Alabama urban census tract to maximize land surface temperature reduction while constrained by a set budget. These findings will give evidence for a proof of concept tool that informs those responsible for urban areas, and their populations, poised to experience more significant effects from climate change. Planners, government, and business leaders can use this information for active urban landscape management and site-specific green space–type placement to mitigate climate change effects.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Leisure, Donald Patrick

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Curtin, Kevin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Senkbeil, Jason
• Debbage, Neil

• green space
• land surface temperature
• spatial optimization
• urban heat island

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

1051663

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/13792