As part of Climate Action Week, Sweltering Cities ran our first community Cool Walk in Sydney.
Our Cool Walk took place in Parramatta. We walked through, answered questions, and did some temperature monitoring around local hot spots that exacerbate the heat, as well as cool spots that provide us with much-needed relief on hot days.
13 community members joined us for the Parramatta Cool Walk, on a day that was forecasted to reach 36°C day!
Urban Heat Island Effect
Did you know that the reason Western Sydney can be up to 10°C hotter than eastern parts of the city is due its physical geography that prevents cooling from coastal breezes and the urban heat island effect.
The urban heat island effect is caused by heat being absorbed and trapped in dark surfaces such as pavements, roads, roofs, and car parks. Green spaces and trees can help cool down the local environment, however, urban areas usually have less natural landscapes. This results in higher temperatures, increases in our energy bills, and a greater heat health risk.
We saw the urban heat island effect play out in real life during our Cool Walk. For example, a patch of grass under the sun measured at 21°C, whereas the neighbouring unshaded concrete was much hotter at 31°C!
Key Takeaways
We walked through Westfield Parramatta, Parramatta Square, and Parramatta Library to compare how these different areas function as cool spaces on hot days.
Our Cool Walk attendees described Westfield as noisy and overstimulating, in comparison to Parramatta Library which was quiet, had plenty of seats (without feeling pressured to buy anything), and had activities for the community. This shows just how important it is to use social infrastructure as designated cool spaces during heatwaves:
“less noisy, more comfy seating, no barrier to entry (cost or physical). toilets clearly marked”
“more relaxed, places to sit without feeling the need to buy, families can bring their children to keep cool and also have activities“
Parramatta Council also generously provided us with a Beat the Heat kit, equipped with an ice pack, thermometer, and other items to help keep cool.
“lovely activities happening for kids. students doing their homework in a lovely cool environment. Beat the Heat kit was given from the council, very good with ice pack, thermometers etc.”
Other observations include a general lack of green spaces and shade in the newly developed areas of Parramatta, the need for signs directing people to nearby water bubblers, and introducing electric buses to reduce exposure to toxic fumes while waiting for the bus.
Thank you to everyone who helped organise and came along to our first Sydney Cool Walk. We will be running more community walks in other hot suburbs so make sure you stay tuned!
