Across the world cities are trying to tackle the increasing health impacts from air pollution an urban heat island effect.

Every year, New York City experiences an average of 450 heat-related emergency department visits, 150 heat-related hospital admissions, and 13 heatstroke deaths. The City also averages about 115 excess deaths from natural causes exacerbated by extreme heat annually.

From an urban design perspective much can be done to mitigate and to adapt to climate change related health impacts—not least in terms of developing solutions that are co-beneficial and aesthetic at the same time.

During the summer of 2019, the City of New York teamed up with Access Cities, a global alliance for sustainable urban development, to organize an Open Innovation Call on Air Quality and Urban Heat Island Effect as a call to action.

Contestants were requested to propose solutions for a specific neighborhood in NYC with some of the highest rates of heat-related illness and mortality and known air quality vulnerability issues.

This Archtober-affiliated event will highlight and celebrate the winner of the Open Innovation Call together with other innovative initiatives in New York, and internationally, which are tackling these challenges.

Join us for an enlightening evening featuring curated expert discussions and exhibitions.

Credits: 2.5 LU / 2.5 HSW