Modeling Hyperlocal Heat Exposure With Open-Source Data

This technical note describes a fully open-source modeling framework developed by the World Resources Institute's Cool Cities Lab to assess hyperlocal heat exposure in cities at a 1-meter resolution using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI).

• The World Resources Institute has developed a globally scalable, open-source method for modeling the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) at a 1-meter resolution. This framework utilizes the SOlar and LongWave Environmental Irradiance Geometry (SOLWEIG) model and open-access data, achieving a mean absolute error of 0.39°C when validated against LiDAR-supported models.
• As part of the Cool Cities Lab (CCL), these high-resolution datasets—including UTCI, shade, and urban land use data—are used to design and prioritize heat-resilient infrastructure. The model evaluates the cooling potential of specific interventions, such as cool surfaces, shade structures, and tree planting, across different planning scenarios.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Modeling Hyperlocal Heat Exposure With Open-Source Data. https://www.wri.org/research/modeling-hyperlocal-heat-exposure-open-source-data

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Modeling Hyperlocal Heat Exposure With Open-Source Data. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/modeling-hyperlocal-heat-exposure-open-source-data.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Modeling Hyperlocal Heat Exposure With Open-Source Data |url=https://www.wri.org/research/modeling-hyperlocal-heat-exposure-open-source-data |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendmodeling, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Modeling Hyperlocal Heat Exposure With Open-Source Data}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/modeling-hyperlocal-heat-exposure-open-source-data}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }