Integrating GIS and the Urban Adaptation Assessment Framework for Climate Vulnerability and Resilience in Louisville, Kentucky

Climate change presents an escalating threat to urban environments, where dense populations, aging infrastructure, and entrenched social inequities amplify exposure to climate hazards. Urban centers face compound risks such as flooding and extreme heat, disproportionately impacting socioeconomically marginalized communities. Despite recognition of these challenges, there remains a critical need for integrated, spatially detailed assessments to inform equitable adaptation strategies. This study represents the first application of the Urban Adaptation Assessment (UAA) tool in Louisville, Kentucky, integrating fine-scale spatial data with Geographic Information Systems to rigorously evaluate vulnerability to these dual threats. A multidimensional framework encompassing environmental exposure, social sensitivity, and adaptive capacity was employed, incorporating both equal and context-sensitive weighting schemes to reveal nuanced spatial patterns of risk. Our findings demonstrate a significant convergence of flood and heat vulnerabilities within historically underserved neighborhoods, including Shively, Pleasure Ridge Park, and Newburg, where deteriorating infrastructure, economic precarity, and limited healthcare access heighten climate risk. Notably, critical infrastructure such as hospitals and fire stations is disproportionately situated in these high-risk zones, potentially impeding emergency response effectiveness. This analysis elucidates the intersection of environmental hazards, infrastructure deficits, and social inequities at a granular spatial scale, providing a robust, policy-relevant foundation for advancing equitable urban adaptation strategies.