The potential for urban canopy cover to reduce heat-related mortality in Adelaide

Abstract

In Australia, heatwaves and extremely hot weather present the greatest climate related threat resulting in hundreds of deaths every year and killing more people than any other natural hazard does. There are an increasing number of studies evaluating the influence and benefits of urban greenery on human health; how-ever, few studies have thoroughly investigated the explicit relationships between urban vegetation and heat-related mortality (HRM), morbidity and vulnerability levels, and no such studies have been completed for Adelaide so far. To address this need, this chapter provides a quantitative investigation of the potential influence of urban canopy cover on reducing HRM rates using the Greater Adelaide Metropolitan area as case study. The study employs spatial analytic techniques to evaluate the spatial variability and relationships between increased tree cover-age, potential reduction of HRM rates and various socio-economic and demo-graphic risks factors. Results indicates dramatic public health benefits possible from increasing tree canopy coverage, emphasising an urgent need for close alignment of public health policy with urban planning and greening policies for the whole region. Furthermore, we found that there is a solid case for tailoring urban greening and tree canopy enhancement at the district level based on the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of local populations. This study is ultimately intended to support decision making by local governments for critical urban greenery interventions and initiatives that can increase liveability and thereby help reduce the health burden and risk of deaths particularly among vulnerable populations across the Greater Adelaide Metropolitan in the future.