Philadelphia summers are getting hotter, but not all neighborhoods are affected the same way. In Strawberry Mansion, residents are more exposed to extreme heat for reasons including:
- Fewer trees to provide shade.
- Aging buildings.
- Limited places to cool off and find relief.
Extreme heat can be dangerous for people’s health, especially in communities that are at higher risk. To address this, the Office of Sustainability (OOS) is launching the Strawberry Mansion Heat Resilience Initiative. This project works with the community to develop ways to stay cool and safe during extreme heat. It builds on the City’s first community-driven pilot project to build heat resilience in Hunting Park.
Building on past resilience efforts
Launched in 2018, the Beat the Heat Hunting Park Initiative focused on building a path toward heat resilience in one of Philadelphia’s hottest and most heat vulnerable neighborhoods. The Office of Sustainability worked with City departments and residents, community groups, and local organizations to create the City’s first community heat resilience plan. The plan looked at what causes some areas to get hotter than others and shared recommendations to keep the neighborhood cooler and safer.
Today, groups like Esperanza Nueva and Hunting Park CDC are leading heat resilience work in the neighborhood. The City has also launched a cool pavement pilot in Hunting Park.
Spotlight on Strawberry Mansion
Similar to Hunting Park, Strawberry Mansion is one of the Philadelphia neighborhoods most affected by heat in the summer. Using lessons learned from the Beat the Heat Initiative, we aim to create a heat resilience strategy in Strawberry Mansion. The Strawberry Mansion Heat Resilience Initiative will focus on:
- Community Partnership and Engagement: OOS is connecting with residents through events and meetings to hear about their experiences with extreme heat. We’re working together to come up with strategies that make the neighborhood cooler and safer. Community input will help guide decisions and shape solutions.
- City Department Coordination: We are bringing together City departments to align heat safety and cooling resources. This includes the Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Management, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.
- Long-Term Planning: OOS and community partners are working with residents to create a plan to guide future resiliency that helps Strawberry Mansion stay safe during extreme heat.
Our community partners include the Strawberry Mansion CDC and Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center (NAC), with support from neighborhood institutions including the Discovery Center, libraries, and recreation centers.
OOS is also launching a cool roofs pilot project in Strawberry Mansion. The project will test how coating roofs can lower indoor temperatures.
Connecting local resilience to citywide planning
The Strawberry Mansion Heat Resilience Initiative is part of OOS’ Placed-Based Program, which works with communities that are most affected by climate change. Together, we develop strategies that build resilience.
The City is also updating its citywide Climate Resilience Plan with community input. To learn how the City is planning for climate impacts including extreme heat, storms, and flooding, visit the Climate Services and Resilience Planning website.
How to get involved
Whether you’re a resident, caregiver, faith leader, or community partner, you can help make Strawberry Mansion safer and stronger in the face of extreme heat. Email Andrew Dodd, Place-based Heat Resilience Program Manager, at Andrew.Dodd@phila.gov.
