South San Heat Resilience Project
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South San Heat Resilience Project
Prioritizing Action in the Neighborhoods That Need It Most
The South San Antonio neighborhood, known as South San, experiences some of the most intense urban heat island (UHI) effects in the city—a phenomenon where paved surfaces and limited vegetation trap heat and raise local temperatures (learn more about UHI below). Climate projections from Bexar County show that by the 2050s, South San could face higher average temperatures and up to 110 days each year above 95°F, increasing the risk of extreme heat for residents.
Heat risk is further compounded by social and economic factors. Many households face limited access to healthcare and fresh food, inefficient home cooling, language barriers, and high utility costs. Older adults, children, and people with disabilities are especially vulnerable during periods of extreme heat.
This heat vulnerability map helps identify where support is needed most. Neighborhoods are scored by overall heat risk, with darker colors indicating areas that require greater attention and should be prioritized for resilience investments. Based on these combined risks, South San is identified as a priority area for targeted heat resilience action by the Department of Resilience and Sustainability.
South San Heat Resilience Project
Building Lasting Heat Solutions in South San
To reduce urban heat in South San, the City of San Antonio’s Department of Resilience and Sustainability partnered with Fuerza Unida and Adaptation International to launch the South San Heat Resilience Project, supported by a $96,000 grant. This community-led pilot puts residents at the center, turning local ideas into practical solutions that cool neighborhoods, strengthen leadership, and build lasting resilience.
We are already delivering improvements at Priority Action Sites across South San, including:
- A new outdoor water fountain along the South San Walking Trail, with a community-designed Art as Shade structure coming in early 2027
- New water fountains and shaded picnic areas at the South San Community Center
- A Cool Corridor microgrant program launching this fall with RevitalizeSA
- A neighborhood Cooling Committee leading local heat preparedness efforts
- A Green Youth Workforce Development Pilot creating pathways to climate-focused jobs
- Climate Justice Promotora trainings building trusted, community-based leadership
Together, these projects are cooling public spaces, expanding access to resources, and equipping residents with the tools to prepare for extreme heat. DRS will continue working side by side with the South San community to deliver solutions that protect health and strengthen neighborhood resilience.