For The Republic Monitor
ST. LOUIS – University of Missouri Extension specialists are using NASA satellite data to help transportation planners identify areas along highways in the St. Louis metropolitan area where green infrastructure could reduce extreme heat and improve public health.
Michael Sunde, MU Extension state natural resources specialist, is working with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments on an initiative that analyzes data from the International Space Station and provides high-resolution images of land surface temperatures. This geospatial data helps planners design green spaces near transportation corridors to improve public health and safety, improve the aesthetics of streets and reduce long-term maintenance costs, Sunde says.
“Green infrastructure plays a critical role in cooling urban environments, filtering stormwater and supporting biodiversity,” he says. “By integrating science-based data from multiple agencies, we can make more informed transportation planning decisions.”
EXAMPLES OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Green infrastructure refers to natural and engineered systems that manage water and heat while supporting ecological health. Common examples include:
■ Urban tree canopies and vegetated buffers along streets.
■ Rain gardens and bioswales for stormwater management.
■ Green roofs and living near transport hubs.
■ Permeable coverings that reduce runoff and heat absorption.
■ Landscaping with native plants to support pollinators and wildlife.
■ Constructed wetlands for water filtration and habitat creation.
These features not only lower surface temperatures, but also improve air quality, reduce flooding and create more livable urban environments, Sunde says.
The Ecological Initiative collects and shares environmental data with urban planning organizations, state departments of transportation, and local governments to support environmentally responsible infrastructure development.
Before NASA's data became available, planners relied on manually installed thermal sensors that measured air temperature. NASA now provides more accurate measurements of land surface temperatures, enabling better modeling and planning for heat mitigation, he says.
Learn more about the green approach to infrastructure development at the East-West Gateway Council of Governments (www.ewgateway.org).