‘Cooling corridors’ plan to address some of Portland’s hottest areas

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Regional and national leaders are convening in Portland to help address some of the Rose City’s hottest areas.

Places like 82nd Avenue are considered “heat islands” and can be particularly hazardous during heatwaves, such as the record-breaking 2021 heat dome that claimed 102 lives in Portland.

To help address heat islands, which are typically found in areas of wall-to-wall asphalt or concrete with little tree canopy or other shade, regional government Metro is formulating a plan to create “cooling corridors” across the region.

On Tuesday evening, officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will meet with Metro at the Dharma Rain Zen Center for a workshop talking about ways to reduce the heat in problem areas. Community members, experts from the EPA and regional organizations were signed up to participate in the cooling corridors brainstorming session.

The EPA previously provided Metro and other community partners with a Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant to help advance the effort to create cooling corridors. The Portland area was one of five recipients of the grant.

“Everyone in the region is impacted by hotter summers and more extreme weather – but especially those who live in communities with a lot of concrete and few trees,” said Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang. “The cooling corridors work is the first step in bringing solutions that provide relief for the people who need it most.”

Metro’s draft strategies for the cooling corridors plan include planting more trees, restoring habitats, creating more cool spaces by way of building design and establishing cooling centers.

Metro is expected to release a Cooling Corridors Study this fall. Metro has more information about cooling corridors.