Community-based solar-powered and open-air cooling shelter for urban heat mitigation

The increasing frequency of heatwaves and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect pose growing public health risks, particularly for urban communities with limited access to cooling infrastructure. Conventional strategies—such as air-conditioned cooling centers—present challenges related to energy consumption, resilience, and equitable access. In response, we developed and tested a novel, open-air cooling shelter that can be installed as public infrastructure such as bus stops, designed to mitigate heat stress through solar-powered radiant and conductive cooling systems. Constructed in partnership with a community organization in a heat-vulnerable Philadelphia neighborhood, the shelter integrates a shading canopy, radiant cooling panels, and a conductive cooling bench, all operated by a fully off-grid renewable energy source. To examine its impact, we conducted thermal comfort surveys with community members as well as physiological and environmental measurements. Results showed that the shelter reduced occupants’ thermal stress by 35–45% compared to unshaded outdoor conditions using the Index of Thermal Stress (ITS), and subjective survey responses corroborated this improvement. Concurrently, energy monitoring validated the system’s self-sufficiency; solar energy generation surpassed the cooling demand by 40%. The combination of scalable technology and integrated local engagement, as modeled in this study, offers a replicable strategy for sustainable and inclusive urban heat mitigation.