Newark battles extreme urban heat with trees, parks and cool roofs
Newark is facing some of the most extreme urban heat in the US, with temperatures often soaring far above nearby rural areas. Over 97% of its residents live in neighbourhoods where the heat index climbs more than 8 degrees higher than surrounding regions. Now, city officials are rolling out new projects to tackle the problem. The city’s intense heat stems from what’s known as the urban heat island effect. Buildings, roads, and other hard surfaces absorb and trap heat during the day, then release it slowly at night. This keeps temperatures in cities like Newark and New York far warmer than in suburban or rural spots—sometimes by an average of 9 degrees.
For residents like Artur Cesar, who lives in the Ironbound neighbourhood, the heat means running air conditioning almost nonstop. Many others face similar struggles as the city’s infrastructure amplifies the problem.
To combat the issue, Newark has launched several initiatives. The Rooted in Newark programme, led by Mayor Ras Baraka, aims to plant 5,000 new trees across the city over the next decade. Another project, the Newark Tree Canopy Initiative, will add 2,700 trees using an $8 million grant. Trees provide shade and help lower temperatures in heat-prone areas.
The city has also secured a $500,000 grant to upgrade Hennessy Street Park, adding more cooling infrastructure and green spaces. Meanwhile, the Cool Roofs Newark programme is working to make rooftops more reflective, reducing heat absorption from buildings. Newark’s efforts to plant trees, upgrade parks, and improve rooftops aim to reduce the urban heat island effect over time. These changes could bring relief to residents dealing with extreme temperatures, particularly in the city’s hottest neighbourhoods. The projects will unfold over the next several years as funding and planning progress.
