The Southwest Integrated Field Laboratory (SW-IFL): Engaging with Communities and Stakeholders to Develop, Test, and Evaluate Urban Cooling Strategies Through Testbed Deployments

Arizona contains one of the fastest growing urban corridors in the US, including the major cities of Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff. Coupled to this growth are environmental changes that routinely result in more than 30 days of daily maximum temperatures above 110 °F (43 °C) each summer. In 2023, there were more than 17 days with daily temperatures above 115 °F (46 °C). These extreme heat events result in additional impacts on atmospheric pollutant composition and water use, and ultimately on vulnerable communities.

The Southwest Integrated Field Laboratory (SW-IFL) is carrying out observations, engaging in modeling to enable predictions, and working with communities and stakeholders to develop resilient solutions to heat and the associated environmental and societal stressors that are exacerbated by extreme heat events. These solutions include, but are not limited to, innovative building & paving materials, artificial shade, green infrastructure, and other technological and policy-based approaches to reducing exposure and adverse outcomes.

The ultimate goal of the SW-IFL is to gather scientific data and create tools to empower local city officials, communities, and individuals to respond to extreme heat and improve the quality of life of populations that are the most vulnerable to the dangers of extreme heat and associated environmental stressors.

This presentation will provide an overview of the project objectives and methods, one year into this 5-year project. It will also highlight some of our recent efforts related to co-development of solutions and the subsequent deployment and testing of these solutions in urban living laboratory, neighborhood-scale testbed applications.