Arizona State University expert directory

Ariane Middel is an urban climatologist whose work advances understanding of how people experience heat in cities and how urban environments can be designed to reduce heat exposure.

Her research focuses on measuring, modeling, and visualizing human-scale urban heatscapes using mobile biometeorological sensing, thermal comfort modeling, computer vision, and AI-supported decision tools. She directs the SHaDE Lab at Arizona State University, where her team develops and deploys tools such as MaRTy, a mobile biometeorological platform that measures pedestrian-level heat exposure; MaRTiny, a low-cost sensing system for human-scale microclimate monitoring; VisionMRT, an image-based approach for estimating radiant heat exposure; and Cool Routes, a heat-aware routing tool that helps people navigate cities while reducing thermal exposure.

Middel’s work bridges field measurement, simulation, and community-engaged climate adaptation. She has collaborated with municipalities across the Phoenix metropolitan area, including the Cities of Phoenix and Tempe, on projects related to cool pavement, shade assessment, urban forestry, cool corridors, and heat-resilient public spaces. Her research has informed urban heat mitigation strategies in streetscapes, parks, courtyards, schools, and transportation environments.

Middel is an associate professor in The GAME School and the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University. She is an active member of the Urban Climate Research Center and the Central Arizona–Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research program, and she serves as president of the International Association for Urban Climate.