Beating the Heat: How Calgary’s Heat Maps and Greenery Fight Back

Feeling the Urban Heat? Understanding and Tackling the Urban Heat Island Effect with Heat Maps

Ever step outside in the summer and feel like the city is just holding onto heat, like a giant brick oven? You're not imagining it! Urban areas often feel much hotter than the natural areas surrounding them. This isn't just uncomfortable; it's a real phenomenon called the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.

With climate change increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme heat events, understanding UHI is more important than ever. Luckily, tools like urban heat maps can help us see where this is happening. Let's dive into what UHI is, what heat maps show, and how we can use this knowledge to build cooler, more resilient communities. You can also check out Calgary's 2023-2026 climate implementation plan by clicking here.

USE OUR QUICK NAVIGATION GUIDE BELOW TO JUMP TO ANY POINT ON Beating the Heat: How Calgary’s Heat Maps and Greenery Fight Back:

What Exactly is an Urban Heat Map?
Unpacking the Mystery: Why Do Cities Get So Much Hotter?
Calgary’s Concrete Jungle: The Hot Zones
Why These Maps Are Essential for Our Future
Navigating an Urban Heat Map Tool
Reading the Map: What the Data Really Tells You
Taking Action: Simple Steps to Help Cool Things Down
Local Heroes: Calgarians Making a Difference
Putting the Map to Work: Real-World Examples
Calgary’s Climate Champs: Local Cooling Projects
Ready to Explore More?
Future-Proofing Calgary: What’s Next?
Calgary-Specific Resources: Stay Cool, Stay Informed
Building Cooler Cities Together

So, What Exactly is an Urban Heat Map?

Think of an urban heat map as a temperature snapshot of your city. It's a visual way to see the temperature differences across different areas. Typically, these maps use colors to show you where it's hotter (usually reds and oranges) and where it's cooler (blues and greens).

When you look at one, you'll often notice the hottest spots tend to be places like:

Dense neighborhoods packed with buildings and pavement.
Industrial areas.
Regions with very little vegetation or shade.

These maps are generated using cool technology like satellite thermal imaging, ground sensors, drones, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data. Sometimes even community data collection can play a role (though that last bit isn't in all the sources, just one!).

Unpacking the Mystery: Why Do Cities Get So Much Hotter?

The Urban Heat Island effect happens because cities just absorb and hold onto more heat than the surrounding natural or rural areas. But why? It comes down to a few key factors:

Heat-Loving Materials: The stuff our cities are built from – like dark asphalt, brick, and concrete – are great at absorbing heat from the sun during the day. They then release that stored heat slowly throughout the night, keeping things warm long after the sun goes down. Paved surfaces, in particular, absorb more heat and stay warm longer than vegetation.
Lack of Greenery: Cities often have way less natural vegetation than rural areas. Plants are nature's air conditioners! They provide shade and cool the air through a process called evapotranspiration (like sweating for plants!). Less green means less natural cooling.
Waste Heat: Our daily activities in the city generate heat. Cars, buildings running air conditioning systems, and industrial processes all contribute 'waste heat', adding to the overall warmth in concentrated urban areas.

Interestingly, people have noticed this for a long time! Weather observers using basic thermometers saw cities were warmer than the countryside almost two centuries ago. It's important to know that while UHI is a big deal locally, it doesn't significantly impact overall global warming or broad climate trends. Scientists account for it when measuring larger temperature changes.

Calgary’s Concrete Jungle: The Hot Zones

Want to know where Calgary’s urban heat is at its worst? Look no further than hotspots like Beltline, Downtown West End, and the East Village. These areas, with their towering concrete buildings and minimal tree cover, are practically baking under the sun. In contrast, communities like Fish Creek Park-adjacent Shawnee Slopes or Bowness, where trees, parks, and river access offer natural cooling, show how nature can really turn down the heat dial.

Why These Maps Are Essential for Our Future

Okay, so we know cities get hot, and now we have maps to show us where. But why does this really matter? Urban heat maps are crucial tools for several reasons:

Identifying Vulnerable Spots: They help pinpoint which neighborhoods or areas are most exposed to higher temperatures and where populations might be more socially vulnerable (like by showing population age data). This helps prioritize messaging and social support services.
Smart Urban Planning: These maps inform big decisions about where to add green spaces, plant trees, use cool roofing materials, and make other neighborhood improvements.
Public Health: By identifying hot spots, cities can better assess heat-related health risks and plan how to protect vulnerable populations.
Building Resilience: They support efforts to adapt to climate change and increase our community's resilience to extreme heat events.

For instance, in Calgary, the Urban Heat Map is a key part of reaching the city's Climate Adaptation Plan goals: reducing climate risk, exploring benefits of a changing climate, and increasing community resilience. It helps guide everything from targeting heat mitigation measures and finding outdoor cooling spots during heat waves to assessing if local cooling efforts are working over time.

Navigating an Urban Heat Map Tool (Let's Look at Calgary's Example!)

Many cities provide online tools to explore their heat maps. Using Calgary's as an example, here's a peek at how you might use one:

Different Views: The tool has a 'Main Map' for a single, focused view and a 'Comparison Map' with two side-by-side panes where you can compare different data layers or areas with linked views.
Key Tools: Look for controls like:
- Search: To find specific addresses or places.
- Basemap: To change the background map for context.
- Layers: This is where you turn different data layers on and off. You can see imagery layers like Surface Temperature, Vegetation Index, and Built-Up Index, plus various vector layers. This is also where you find the legends for vector layers. You can even adjust transparency.
- Legend: The legends for imagery layers are usually visible by default.

Pro Tip for Smooth Sailing: If the map seems slow, especially when you zoom in, try activating fewer imagery layers at once. Sticking to one or two active imagery layers per map pane is best for performance. Also, note that some layers only appear when you're zoomed in close enough – their names might show as light gray if you're too far out.

Click Here To Explore Calgary's Urban Heat Map

**Reading the Map: What the Data Really Tells You (and What it Doesn't!)**

Okay, this part is super important! While heat maps are powerful, you need to know how to interpret them correctly:

Snapshot, Not Average: The map shows temperatures from a specific moment in time, not the highest ever recorded or the average temperature over a long period. Use it to see how temperatures differ across an area at that specific time.
Surface vs. Air Temperature: The data shows the surface temperature derived from satellites. The temperature you feel in the air at ground level might be different.
Shade Structures & Buildings: Data over things like shade structures or buildings shows the temperature on top of that surface. A rooftop might look hot on the map, but the air temperature inside or underneath a shaded area could be much cooler. Buildings, even if their roofs are hot, might offer air-conditioned refuge.
Tall Buildings: Areas with lots of tall buildings might actually appear cooler on the map than the air temperature you feel down on the street.

Putting It Together: To really understand why some areas are hotter or cooler, use the other map layers! Compare the Surface Temperature layer with:

The Vegetation Index (NDVI) layer to see where plants are and how dense they are. Notice how green areas often line up with cooler spots.
The Built-Up Index (NDBI) layer to see where the paved and built surfaces are. These areas often correlate with higher heat.
Data on the density, type, location, and height of buildings.

You can even look at population density and age data to understand social exposure and vulnerability to heat.

Taking Action: Simple Steps to Help Cool Things Down

Understanding UHI and seeing it on a map is the first step. The next is action! Both big city-wide projects and things you can do at home or in your neighborhood make a difference:

For Your Home & Yard:

Plant Trees! Especially on the south and west sides of your home for shade.
Consider Green Roofs or Rooftop Gardens if possible.
Switch to Light-Colored or "Cool" Roofing materials.
Use Light-Colored or Permeable Materials for patios, sidewalks, and driveways.
Install Rain Gardens or Bioswales to help manage water and reduce heat.
Replace grass with Drought-Resistant Native Plants or xeriscaping.
Add Window Awnings or shade structures.
Limit Dark Mulch or Artificial Turf.
Improve your home's Insulation and use Energy-Efficient HVAC systems to reduce waste heat.

For Your Community & Neighborhood:

Join or start a Community Tree-Planting project.
Support efforts to increase Parks and Green Spaces.
Advocate for Cool Schoolyards with trees and shade.
Encourage your city to use Cool Paving and Heat-Reflective Materials in public projects.
Share heat maps or greening data to Raise Awareness.
Volunteer with Local Climate or Gardening Organizations.

Everyday Awareness & Advocacy:

Use local tools to learn about Your Neighborhood's Heat Zones.
Talk to City Officials about UHI concerns.
Educate Others on how UHI affects energy, health, and climate resilience.
Include Sustainable Landscaping in renovations.
Support Local Climate Adaptation Plans or green infrastructure funding.

Local Heroes: Calgarians Making a Difference

Forget big-budget projects – some of the coolest changes are coming from grassroots efforts. Neighborhoods like Crescent Heights and Inglewood are seeing residents take urban greening into their own hands. From planting drought-resistant gardens to volunteering with local climate groups, everyday Calgarians are proving that community action isn’t just feel-good—it’s effective. Plus, these efforts often boost property values and community spirit. Double win.

Putting the Map to Work: Real-World Examples

Heat maps aren't just pretty pictures; they're practical tools! Cities are using them to:

Prioritize messaging and support services for high-risk areas during heat waves.
Decide where to install shading structures or make other neighborhood heat improvements.
Find good locations for outdoor cooling spots during heat waves.
See if their heat reduction efforts are working by tracking changes over time (like vegetation cover!).
Help ensure everyone has fair access to cooling spaces.

One great example (though this specific use case example isn't tied to Calgary in the sources) is a city using a heat map to decide where to prioritize planting trees in low-income neighborhoods. This helps reduce heat exposure, potentially lowers energy bills, and improves public health – a win-win-win!

Calgary’s Climate Champs: Local Cooling Projects

Calgary’s not just waiting for the thermometer to fry us – local initiatives are stepping up. The City of Calgary’s Climate Resilience Strategy includes increasing the urban canopy, promoting cool roofing, and integrating permeable materials in public infrastructure. Recent pilot projects in communities like Eau Claire and Westbrook showcase tree planting campaigns and upgraded cooling infrastructure to prep for future heatwaves. Let’s call it: Calgary’s laying down some serious groundwork to become a cool customer.

Ready to Explore More?

Understanding UHI is powerful! You can explore urban heat maps and related data for your own area using tools like:

Future-Proofing Calgary: What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Calgary has big plans to reduce UHI impacts. Expect to see policies pushing for more green roofs, cool paving materials in high-heat areas, and incentives for energy-efficient retrofits. Upcoming developments in places like Currie Barracks and Green Line LRT corridors are also integrating heat-reducing design principles from the start. Calgary’s growth isn’t slowing down, but with smart planning, we can make sure our future is a little less scorchy.

Calgary-Specific Resources: Stay Cool, Stay Informed

Don’t just read about it – get involved! Here are some local resources to help you and your community tackle urban heat:

Calgary’s Climate Resilience Strategy: Official Site
Calgary Parks & Urban Forestry: Discover opportunities to help expand Calgary’s tree canopy and adopt-a-tree programs.
YYC’s Heat Alert Resources: Stay updated during heat waves through city announcements and local emergency updates.
Alberta EcoTrust: Find grants and initiatives supporting community-based greening and climate action.

Building Cooler Cities Together

The Urban Heat Island effect is a clear challenge for our cities, especially as temperatures rise. But with tools like urban heat maps, we can visualize the problem, identify the areas and populations most at risk, and understand the factors contributing to the heat.

By combining this knowledge with smart urban planning and taking action ourselves – whether it's planting a tree in your yard or advocating for more green spaces in your community – we can collectively work towards creating cooler, healthier, and more resilient urban environments for everyone.

Stay cool out there!

Dusko Sremac – Calgary & Area REALTOR®

Calgary’s future depends on how we adapt to rising temperatures—and how we design smarter, greener communities. As a Calgary REALTOR® who’s helped hundreds of families put down roots across the city, Dusko Sremac understands that environmental factors like heat resilience and green space are more than lifestyle perks—they’re essential for long-term livability. At REPYYC, we’re committed to helping Calgarians make informed decisions that protect their home, their health, and their future.

Cell: 403-988-0033 | Email: dusko@repyyc.com | Instagram: @DuskoSremac_REPYYC

Posted by Cody Tritter on June 15th, 2025

What Calgary’s Urban Heat Map Tells Us About Beating the Heat