From Hot Dogs to Cool Communities: Sustainable Design Solutions for Socio-Ecological Revitalization of the Tucson Greyhound Park

Abstract

Urban heat is one of the most inexplicably disregarded issues facing our global society. The repercussions extend far beyond being the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States (EPA, 2023). Other consequences of high temperatures include an increased energy demand and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions, a detrimental impacts on native ecology, and reduced quality of life and overall well-being for urban dwellers. To make matters worse, communities with predominantly low-income and minority populations experience the most extreme concentrations of the urban heat island effect (UHI). As global temperatures and urban populations continue to climb, urban planning and development practices must respond to the pressing interrelated issues of urban heat and social equity. Deliberate design is crucial to ensure our human and ecological communities may thrive harmoniously for years to come. In 2020, the city and Mayor Romero launched Tucson Resilient Together, a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, aimed to address the escalating concerns of extreme heat while promoting equity within the city. Part of the initiative included the goal to plant one million trees, prioritizing neighborhoods with the greatest need. However, Tucson’s efforts do not include the independent municipality of South Tucson, a primarily low-income, Latino community situated in one of the hottest areas of the valley. This report aims to demonstrate sustainable urban design strategies to promote social wellness and reduce negative effects of urban heat for an historically marginalized community. By using the site of the former Tucson Greyhound Park, this report aims to advocate for more funding opportunities for the city of South Tucson, and to serve as a reference for sustainable design practices for the owners and future redevelopers of the Tucson Greyhound Park.