WCPO: Why living in Hyde Park could be 10 degrees cooler
UC’s heat island expert works with city to cool temps in hotter neighborhoods
Concrete, asphalt, lack of tree cover are all things that impact temperature, and times of extreme heat are harder on the most vulnerable urban populations, says Pravin Bhiwapurkar an assistant professor in UC’s School of Architecture and Interior Design.
Bhiwapurkar was interviewed by WCPO for his heat island expertise and is currently enrolling Cincinnati residents who live without air conditioning in an upcoming study.
Bhiwapurkar research lies at the intersection of urban climate change, urban morphology and urban building energy use. He investigates how urban development contributes to the heat island (UHI) effect which modifies outdoor and indoor environments. UHI affects building energy needs, microenvironments as well as human health, especially that of children and the older population.
“Even when buildings use air conditioners, they dump a lot of heat outside,” says Pravin.
Those interested in volunteering for the University of Cincinnati study on urban heat islands can contact Pravin Bhiwapurkar at: bhiwappn@ucmail.uc.edu.
He is looking for people who live in single family homes without central air conditioning, preferably without unit air conditioners, who would be willing to host the temperature and relative humidity sensors in their living rooms and outside in these neighborhoods: Lower Price Hill, South Cumminsville, Winton Hills, Corryville, Avondale, Bond Hill, Over-the-Rhine, Mt. Airy and Westwood.
Featured image of downtown Cincinnati courtesy of Unsplash.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.
What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?
January 5, 2026
Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.