Research
Research projects
Ten projects, from global research centers to studies of single neighborhoods, on heat, storms, floods, clean transportation, trees, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
Clean energy & transport
CLEETS Global Center
The Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS) Global Center researches three areas: clean and fair transportation, transportation energy and infrastructure, and climate change. Its interdisciplinary research and education aim to speed up fair, practical, low-carbon road transportation, working with government, the private sector, industry and the communities who use it.
- Funder
- NSF Global Centers, with UK Research and Innovation
- Partners
- Universities in the United States and United Kingdom
Heat, air quality & justice
Urban Scalable Toolkit for Infrastructure Resilient Regions
A web-based visualization toolkit for exploring Earth science data and high-resolution climate model output on air quality and heat in the Chicago metropolitan area. Users can also explore related environmental and social data to identify extreme heat and air quality threats and make better decisions for the city.
- Funder
- NASA
- Region
- Chicago metropolitan area
Storms & heatwaves
Urban hydrometeorology and sustainability
How urban systems interact with storms and heatwaves, so cities can reduce the impacts of climate change. Urban processes, the properties of the land surface, atmospheric chemistry and people’s adaptive choices all play a part, and numerical modeling is the essential tool.
- Funder
- National Science Foundation
- Focus
- Urban storms, heatwaves and their impacts
Clean transportation · India
International partnerships for accelerating climate-ready, sustainable, and clean urban transportation
In this multi-institutional, multidisciplinary Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) project, we are building a use-inspired, integrated infrastructure framework across several cities in India. It is designed to scale to other South Asian and global cities that face similar air quality problems and are weighing investment in clean transportation.
- Funder
- National Science Foundation (PIRE)
- Region
- Cities in India
Nature-based solutions
From Science to Nature-Based Solutions in the Chicago Region
Supporting decisions that reduce the impacts of climate change in vulnerable Chicago communities. We combine newly developed, high-resolution climate models with regional planning and policy experts to identify and assess nature-based solutions for climate extremes.
- Funder
- Walder Foundation
- Region
- Chicago region
Floods & nature-based solutions
Navigating climate challenges in the Quad Cities
A comprehensive assessment and path to resilience. Heavier rainfall and spreading floodwaters, driven by climate change, affect residents. Our detailed analysis of the Quad Cities identified the areas most vulnerable to floods and how nature-based solutions (NbS) can protect them.
- Funder
- National Wildlife Federation
- Partners
- National Wildlife Federation, Prairie Rivers Network
Details and live demos →The report (PDF, 4.9 MB) →Flood map →
Nature & biodiversity
Quad Cities Ecological Corridor Network
Which natural areas should be connected to boost biodiversity, climate resilience, public health, recreation and the regional economy? We mapped the ecological corridor network across the Quad Cities, focusing on habitat connectivity, conservation opportunities and strategic planning.
- Funder
- National Wildlife Federation
- Region
- Quad Cities
Trees & climate resilience
Resilient Canopies in the Chicago Region
Where should trees be planted to do the most for climate resilience? This study assessed how population growth, urbanization and climate change affect the ComEd service area, and used data modeling and machine learning to guide precision tree planting across the Chicago region.
- Funder
- ComEd (Exelon Energy)
- Region
- Chicago region
Stormwater & green infrastructure
Climate-driven green stormwater infrastructure
Where will green stormwater infrastructure do the most good as the climate changes? We are adapting a green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) tool to a changing climate, as part of the Metropolitan Planning Council’s Right Infrastructure, Right Place project.
- Funder
- Metropolitan Planning Council
- Region
- Chicago region
Urban climate & environmental justice
Community Research on Climate and Urban Science (CROCUS)
The CROCUS team studies urban climate change and what it means for environmental justice in the Chicago region. It carries out new observational science and builds highly accurate climate models, giving new insight into current and future urban climate challenges and informing action on mitigation and adaptation at street, neighborhood and regional scales.
- Funder
- U.S. Department of Energy, Urban Integrated Field Laboratory
- Lead
- Argonne National Laboratory