COALESCE Hosts Cool Hoods Workshop

On May 1st, the COALESCE team hosted a Cool Hoods workshop, bringing together participants and student co-researchers for a day of discussion, learning, and exploration around heat, neighbourhood environments, and climate resilience.

Facilitated by Stephen Sheppard and Alina Zeng of the University of British Columbia, the interactive workshop explored how neighbourhoods experience heat during warmer weather and how communities can adapt to increasing climate challenges.

Participants took part in group discussions, mapping activities, and a neighbourhood walkabout to identify areas affected by heat and share ideas for improving comfort, cooling, and community wellbeing during extreme weather events.

The workshop sparked thoughtful conversations around urban heat, public spaces, shade, cooling strategies, and practical ways communities can respond to hotter summers. Participants actively shared observations, lived experiences, and local knowledge throughout the day.

As part of the workshop, participants also developed individual or group action plans focused on practical next steps they can take within their homes, neighbourhoods, and communities with a plan to reconnect later this year to share their progress.

The COALESCE team extends sincere thanks to everyone who participated and helped make the workshop such an engaging and meaningful experience.