Historical Redlining and Multitemporal Heat Exposure in Columbus, Ohio

Extreme heat events are increasing in frequency and intensity with global climate change, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations are at heightened risk of negative health effects. Urban areas are especially vulnerable to heat due to urban heat island effects, but the degree of heat exposure within a single city can vary greatly. At the same time, the legacy of redlining practices across the United States has contributed to a variety of social outcomes and inequities that persist today, all of which influence community vulnerability to the effects of climate change. Here, we investigate whether redlined areas in Columbus, Ohio, experience unequal exposure and susceptibility to extreme heat at multiple times of the day. We combine redlining data, socioeconomic indicators, tree canopy data, and morning, afternoon, and evening heat index data from a single summer day at the census tract level. We employ spatial lag models to assess the relationships between these data and heat exposure. Results reveal that historically redlined neighborhoods in Columbus face significantly higher temperatures, especially in the morning and evening. The significance of socioeconomic indicators varied by time of day. Our results point to compounding vulnerabilities to extreme heat based on historic redlining, income, age, and housing characteristics. Results raise concerns about morning and nighttime heat exposure in addition to daytime. These point to the need for equity-centered solutions that account for historic injustice to address extreme heat within the city of Columbus.