CHICAGO, IL – The City is grappling with a hidden danger lurking beneath its streets: underground heat islands.
A recent study published in the scientific journal Nature on July 11th reveals the alarming impact of these underground climate changes on the city’s infrastructure, public health, and transportation systems. As buildings, roads, vehicles and other structures emit heat into the ground, the temperature beneath the city rises, leading to ground shifts and potential damage to buildings and roads over time.
The research, primarily focused on the bustling Chicago Loop District, known as the second most densely populated district in the US after Manhattan, underscores the critical importance of implementing updated urban planning strategies. The report states strategies are urgently needed to address the pressing issue of underground heat islands and ensure the protection and resilience of Chicago’s infrastructure in the years to come.