DARRYN W WAUGH, Peyton Ruth Smith, Sophia Baleeiro, Miriam Avins, M. Bader, S. Collins, Gary Dittman, Eliott Foust, Karma Francis, Richard Francis, Monica French, Cynthia Gross, Isabel Horst, S A Horst, Terris King, Ballington L. Kinlock, Samia Rab Kirchner, Lei Hao, Mac McComas, Tiara Matthews, Doris Minor‐Terrel, Derrick Mirindi, Mark‐Anthony Montgomery, Beth Myers‐Edwards, Benjamin A. Nault, Matt T. Oberdier, Katie O'Meara, Gabriel Pickus, Ava Richardson, Kim Truheart, Brenda White, Benjamin F. Zaitchik
Abstract Quantification and understanding of how heat, rainfall, and air quality vary within cities are needed to identify the area with the worst conditions, develop solutions to extreme weather, and assess the impact of proposed policies. However, neighborhood‐level variability is not well quantified because there are few environmental measurement stations within cities. In Baltimore City, a community‐based network of weather stations to address this issue has been developed through a partnership between universities, state agencies, and Baltimore residents. The weather stations are hosted by community partners, and the data collected are enabling the mapping of urban weather across the city and the testing of models and proposed mitigation strategies. In addition, the network provides direct community involvement, with resulting benefits of increased community engagement, education, and empowerment. Researchers have an opportunity to democratize the scientific process and ensure that local knowledge and lived experiences of city residents inform future decision‐making. The approach could be used as a model for other cities that apply similar monitoring instruments for other environmental exposures.