The ShadeScape of Cambridge


4/15/2025 • 2 weeks ago

3D buildings and trees

Shade plays a crucial role in cities for mitigating heat and creating a more comfortable environment on summer days, particularly in the context of increasing urban heat islands and rising temperatures. Explore the new maps and 3D visualization in the ShadeScape story map.

Shade from trees and buildings significantly reduces surface temperatures and lowers the ambient air temperature, which in turn enhances comfort for anyone outdoors, including pedestrians and cyclists. Mapping shade from these sources is essential as it helps us identify areas where shade is lacking and where interventions are needed to improve thermal comfort. The novelty of this work is accurately mapping shade for each hour of the afternoon. By understanding both the spatial and temporal distribution of shade, urban planners and designers can make informed decisions, ensuring that future investments prioritize shade creation to fill these gaps, thereby contributing to a more resilient and livable Cambridge. This project also draws a roadmap for shade creation.

We invite you to explore the story map!