Assessing perceptions of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces within the broader network of community supports in Waterloo Region: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: As extreme heat, cold, and poor air quality events increase in frequency, the need for appropriate climate change adaptation strategies continues to grow. One strategy is the Waterloo Region, Heat, Cold, and Air Quality network (WRHCAN), which is coordinated by Region of Waterloo Public Health (ROWPH) and includes a network of organizations that offer warming, cooling, and clean air spaces. Waterloo Region also grapples with intersecting issues such as, the housing crisis, unregulated substance use, and demographic shifts that impact the delivery of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces. As such, this study explored the following research question: How do intersecting social and structural issues influence the operations of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces and other community supports in Waterloo Region? Specifically, the study examined: 1) network members’ perceptions surrounding the structural factors that influence the operations of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces in Waterloo Region; and 2) network members perceptions on the relationship between warming, cooling, and clean air spaces and other community supports available in Waterloo Region. Methods: This research was guided by an existing partnership with ROWPH and follows a case study design. Semi-structured interviews (n=13) were conducted with WRHCAN members, with two additional follow up interviews. To triangulate data, focus groups with ROWPH staff members were conducted and fieldnotes were taken at an in-person WRHCAN meeting to gain a contextual understanding on how the network operates. Interview data was transcribed using a naturalized transcription approach and thematically analyzed using a deductive approach. Results: The WRHCAN provides valuable coordination of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces in Waterloo Region, and resource sharing between various organizations. However, operations of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces is impacted by structural issues such as the housing crisis, unregulated substance use, and rapid demographic shifts in Waterloo Region. Furthermore, the study identified warming, cooling, and clean air spaces as entities in Waterloo Region that exist among a broader system of existing supports tailored to different populations such as people experiencing homelessness, people with substance use and mental health concerns, older adults, and newcomers. Warming, cooling, and clean air spaces provide temporary relief from extreme temperature and poor air quality events. These spaces may contribute to, but are not a solution for, broader systems-level challenges in Waterloo Region. Contributions: This study was completed at a time where Southern Ontario is facing record high temperatures and frequent poor air quality days, underscoring the need for suitable extreme temperature and poor air quality related adaptation strategies. Findings will contribute to scholarly knowledge in strengthening local and regional health and social service systems and current climate change adaptation strategies. Importantly, examining operations of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces uncovers localized structural issues. Analyzing these issues makes it possible to better meet the needs of individuals disproportionately impacted by extreme temperature and poor air quality events.