Summer Begins

BRIEFING

At the Urban Systems Lab, summer officially begins when the Spring semester concludes, just before Memorial Day, rather than on the June 20th solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The rhythm and focus of our work and gatherings shift, as the abundance of the warm season nurtures our research in new ways. Fieldwork, conferences abroad, and deeper focus are interspersed with moments spent in the dappled shade of trees and shrubs, their dark green leaves guiding the placement of blankets, tables, and chairs. Time feels suspended, endless, but only for a fleeting moment, even as summers grow longer due to human-caused warming, which added a month of extra-hot days in the past year. This trend underscores the increasing relevance of urban adaptation and nature-based resilience. While the summer period offers unique opportunities, what can be achieved is ultimately limited. Follow the briefing blog series to find out about the Urban System Lab's priorities for making the most of this valuable time.