Advancing Extreme Heat Resilience in Newark
Newark Cool Roofs Pilot Program
Introduction & Problem Context
Newark faces a severe and escalating urban heat island (UHI) effect, a critical challenge at the intersection of public health, environmental justice, and urban planning. This issue is driven by several factors: 63% of the city’s land area is covered by impervious surfaces, and it has only 15% tree canopy coverage, well below the 40% average for U.S. cities. These conditions contribute to Newark having the 2nd highest UHI in the nation. Climate projections indicate that average summer temperatures could rise by as much as 6°F by 2050, which could lead to a 55% increase in summer heat-related mortalities.
These climate conditions are deeply tied to public health, exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular complications and placing strain on healthcare infrastructure. Feedback gathered during the Newark Sustainability Unconference confirmed that residents view extreme heat as a growing crisis and explicitly called for tangible cooling solutions. This project was developed to directly address this community-identified need by creating a scalable, data-driven pilot program for implementing cool roofs on municipal buildings.
Strategic Approach: The Cool Roofs Solution
A cool roof is a cost-effective, high-impact solution to mitigate urban heat. While traditional dark rooftops can reach 150°F, a cool roof can remain up to 50°F cooler, leading to a 2.2°F to 5.9°F reduction in indoor temperatures and lowering air conditioning costs by 10-30%.
The Newark Office of Sustainability (OoS) is proposing the Newark Cool Roof Program. The program has three primary goals:
- Mitigate the UHI effect in Newark’s hottest neighborhoods
- Improve energy efficiency in residential and municipal buildings
- Advance workforce development and create pathways to green jobs
Project Scope & Methodology
The primary objective is to design a comprehensive pilot program that serves as a model for city-wide implementation. The methodology is structured around four core components:
Program Design & Partnership
The pilot’s scope involves applying a reflective white coating to the rooftops of municipal buildings. The program is a joint initiative between the OoS and NewarkWorks, ensuring that the investment in climate resilience also creates local green jobs.
Site Selection & Analysis
The initial pilot will target key municipal buildings located in high-need areas: the Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson (Ironbound) Recreation Center and the City of Newark Department of Public Works (DPW) building. The DPW building, in particular, is a prime candidate due to its large, exposed roof and surrounding asphalt, making it a significant localized heat island.
Workforce Development
The program integrates career development opportunities in two phases:
- Phase I: In the short-term, the OoS and NewarkWorks will employ 3 graduates of their A+ painting program to coat the initial rooftops
- Phase II: In the long-term and with additional funding, the program will train a larger cohort of workforce participants to install cool roofs on additional low-income residences and city buildings
Energy Benchmark Analysis
Energy benchmarking is a foundational step in Newark’s broader strategy to combat UHI effects. By systematically evaluating the energy performance of buildings targeted for cool roof retrofits, the City can quantify savings, establish baselines, inform capital improvement decisions, and ensure transparency.
Data to be Collected
Utility Data (monthly): Electricity (kWh), peak demand (kW), natural gas (therms), water usage (gallons), and utility costs ($).
Building Characteristics: Gross floor area, roof type/condition, solar reflectance value (SRI), hours of operation, and occupancy rates.
Environmental Data: Ambient air temperature, relative humidity, rooftop surface temperature, roof cooling rate, reflected solar radiation, and stormwater runoff temperature.
Emissions and Financial Inputs: Regional electricity emission factor, retrofit project costs, and any available grant/rebate offsets.
Post-Retrofit Data: The same metrics will be collected for at least 12 months post-installation.
Key Metrics and Indicators
| Category | Metric | Unit | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Performance | Surface Temperature Reduction | °F | Evaluate thermal impact of reflective coating |
| Indoor Temperature Reduction | °F | Document occupant comfort gains | |
| Roof Cooling Rate Improvement | Minutes | Measure speed of rooftop cooling | |
| Ambient Air Temperature Reduction | °F | Assess localized climate mitigation impact | |
| Heat Index Reduction | Index | Evaluate changes in perceived temperature | |
| Energy & Cost | A/C Usage Reduction | % | Measure change in cooling demand |
| Energy Use Intensity (EUI) | kBtu/sq ft/year | Assess energy efficiency by floor area | |
| Cost Savings | USD ($) | Estimate financial return | |
| Peak Demand Avoidance | kW | Estimate reduction in peak electricity load | |
| Monthly Energy Cost Savings | $ | Track operational savings | |
| GHG & Environmental | GHG Emissions Reduction | Metric tons CO₂e | Quantify emissions reduction from lower energy use |
| Reflected Solar Radiation | W/m² | Evaluate cooling effect through reflectivity | |
| Stormwater Runoff Temperature Decrease | °F | Track runoff temperature impacts on drainage | |
| Financial Metrics | Return on Investment (ROI) | % | Assess financial return on retrofit investment |
| Payback Period | Months | Track investment recovery period | |
| Occupant Comfort | Thermal Comfort Survey Score | 1–5 scale | Gauge perceived occupant comfort |
| Outdoor Activity Duration Increase | Minutes/day | Assess change in recreational behavior |
Benchmarking Tools and Platforms
The city may use the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager for energy tracking. Additional tools will include ArcGIS for spatial mapping, Excel-based models for load estimation, infrared thermal imaging for documenting temperature reductions, and smart environmental sensors where available. A standardized Newark_Cool_Roof_Metrics_Template.xlsx will be used for consistent data input and calculation.
Verification and Reporting Framework
- Baseline Establishment: A robust, weather-normalized pre-retrofit baseline will be established for each building using 12–24 months of historical data
- Post-Retrofit Tracking: Performance will be tracked for at least 12 months post-installation using the same data sources and intervals
- Performance Evaluation: Results will be evaluated using the standardized metrics framework to compare pre- and post-retrofit performance
- Public Transparency: Findings will be documented in internal reports and shared publicly through summary dashboards on the OoS website or municipal open data portals
Key Deliverables & Policy Integration
Beyond the physical retrofits, the project will produce two key deliverables:
Standardized Metrics Template
An Excel-based tool to ensure consistent data collection and automate the calculation of KPIs. This provides a robust system for measuring and communicating success.
Building Code Integration Proposal
To ensure long-term impact, the OoS proposes introducing a cool roof requirement for new and significantly renovated rooftops into the City’s building code. Drawing inspiration from Chicago and New York City, the proposed standard for low-sloped roofs is a minimum initial Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of .70 and a minimum thermal emittance of .75, or a minimum SRI of .80.
Implementation Plan & Next Steps
A phased implementation plan will guide the project from planning to execution:
Short-Term (0-3 Months)
- Finalize the pilot building list
- Confirm data collection methods
- Secure the project budget
Mid-Term (4-12 Months)
- Install the cool roof retrofits on the pilot buildings
- Begin post-installation data collection and occupant surveys
Long-Term (12+ Months)
- Complete a full year of post-retrofit data collection
- Prepare a final benchmarking report
- Integrate findings into a broader citywide heat resilience strategy
Conclusion & Expected Impact
The Newark Cool Roof Program is part of a layered, multi-pronged approach led by the OoS to create a cooler city, which also includes tree planting, green infrastructure, and urban agriculture initiatives. By successfully implementing this pilot, the city can achieve quantifiable reductions in building energy consumption, lower indoor temperatures, and improve occupant comfort.
More importantly, this project will serve as a powerful and visible demonstration of Newark’s commitment to climate resilience, creating a scalable model that can be replicated across the city to build a healthier, more equitable future for all residents.
Applications and Future Work
The developed methodology and tools from this pilot program have broader applications:
- Citywide Scaling: The standardized metrics template and implementation framework can be applied across Newark’s municipal and residential building stock
- Policy Development: The building code integration proposal provides a pathway for mandating cool roofs in new construction and major renovations
- Workforce Development: The training programs can be expanded to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers for the green economy
- Regional Replication: Other cities facing similar urban heat challenges can adapt Newark’s approach and tools
- Research Advancement: The comprehensive data collection will contribute to the broader understanding of cool roof effectiveness in dense urban environments