Startup from Scorching City Aims to Cool Urban Heat

Climate change is taking a heavy toll on urban areas, with densely populated cities feeling the brunt of its effects. The urban heat island phenomenon exacerbates city temperatures, making them significantly higher than surrounding rural areas. This happens because materials like concrete and asphalt retain heat, vehicles and air-conditioning units emit warmth, and tall buildings disrupt natural wind flow.

Cities worldwide are taking measures to combat rising temperatures. In Chicago, where heatwaves have had deadly consequences, more than 500 rooftops now feature vegetation, which helps cool buildings and releases water vapor. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has coated some of its roads with reflective materials to reduce heat absorption.

However, detailed urban temperature data is limited, an issue that entrepreneur Jay Sadiq encountered when launching his Abu Dhabi-based startup focused on modifying asphalt to reduce heat retention. Without sufficient granular data to identify the hottest areas in the city, Sadiq began gathering the information himself.

His company, FortyGuard, now employs artificial intelligence and extensive data collection to analyze urban temperature patterns, aiming to provide actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and residents.

 

Challenges in Heat Data Collection

Extreme heat poses severe health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Between 2017 and 2021, global heat-related deaths among individuals aged 65 and older increased by 85%. As urban populations grow, the United Nations predicts that up to three-quarters of the global population could face extreme heat and humidity by 2100. Rising temperatures not only threaten lives but also disrupt daily activities and productivity, particularly for those working outdoors.

Despite growing awareness, most weather monitoring systems are not designed for urban environments. Weather stations are often located in areas like airports or hillsides, which do not accurately reflect street-level temperatures. Satellites provide large-scale surface temperature data but cannot detect localized hotspots or areas shaded by trees and buildings. While some cities have begun installing sensors on streetlights or buses, and others, like Hong Kong, have developed dense meteorological networks, such efforts remain rare.

 

Harnessing Technology for Urban Heat Management

FortyGuard, with offices in Abu Dhabi and San Jose, collects billions of data points daily from third-party providers and uses AI to model urban temperature dynamics. These models consider factors such as vegetation, water bodies, elevation, and atmospheric conditions to provide a comprehensive understanding of local temperature patterns. According to Sadiq, the company achieves 89% accuracy in modeling temperatures for some U.S. cities at a resolution of every 10 square meters.

The startup has provided advisory services to clients like Masdar City in the UAE, identifying heat hotspots where adding trees and water features can mitigate high temperatures. Now, FortyGuard is positioning itself as a technology company, with plans to integrate its models into existing platforms such as real estate or mapping tools. This could allow users to identify cooler neighborhoods or plan outdoor activities during less intense heat periods.

Other tech platforms are also incorporating climate data. For instance, Zillow recently began including information on wildfire risk, air quality, and heat in its property listings. Similarly, Google has introduced an AI-driven Heat Resilience tool, leveraging aerial and satellite imagery to help cities manage extreme temperatures.

 

The Importance of Actionable Heat Data

While experts acknowledge the potential of AI-driven urban heat intelligence, they emphasize the need for transparency about data sources and validation methods. High-resolution temperature data has clear demand, but its true value lies in how it is utilized. Effective responses to urban heat include public education, warning systems, and integrating heat mitigation strategies into building codes and urban planning.

Ultimately, the success of such technologies depends on identifying who will use the data and how they will implement it. As some cities lead the way in addressing urban heat, the challenge remains to ensure widespread adoption of innovative solutions to safeguard urban populations against rising temperatures.