INES graduate Dr. Veronica Westendorff and Dr. Idziorek discuss connections between tree canopy and urban heat
Dr. Veronica Westendorff, a landscape architect and recent graduate of the Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems (INES) program, shares findings from her research on tree canopy, heat islands, and potential strategies for cooling in Charlotte with WFAE. Dr. Westendorff, Dr. Idziorek, and a multidisciplinary team of Geography and Earth Sciences researchers are working to secure grant funding to study Charlotte’s urban heat at a more granular level. Better understanding disparities in urban heat and tree canopy cover can help to inform city-level policy regarding tree canopy retention and maintenance as well as inspire creative solutions for addressing urban heat, particularly in underserved communities.