The City of Ipswich has partnered with Griffith University and Sunshine Coast University to conduct a three-year analysis about the identification of urban heat island, the residents’ perceptions about urban heat and how changes in urban design might mitigate these effects. This Phase 1 report presents the results of the work undertaken during this first year of collaboration (Sept 2020 - Sept 2021). Although the COVID pandemic certainly challenged the progress of this work and modified some aspects of the original research design, three major findings can be highlighted. The first regards the differences and similarities of the climate data recorded by this study’s sensors and the BoM data. This comparison shows that while daytime temperatures are similar, nighttime conditions are warmer in the studied sites (sensors data) than in the surroundings (recorded by BoM). While we have not at this stage identified significant urban heat islands, there is an indication of the limited capacity of the studied sites to cool overnight, making them prone to heat island during hot periods and heatwaves. The second finding concerns the levels of humidity capable of providing comfort. Data recorded in the analysed sites (Brisbane and Bell St) show that the existing humidity level is significantly high, indicating that water bodies intended at increasing heat loss by evapotranspiration will have limited efficiency. Results so far indicate that a main/first concern should be placed on ensuring ground vegetation is moist so it performs as a cool material. The third main finding regards the urban form and design, and demonstrates the difference between the three case studies. In the analysed sites, only Bell Street meets the minimum suggested urban ratio to provide enough shelter for pedestrians and maximum use of solar energy for buildings. Limestone Street with its lower buildings and east-west orientation offers little thermal comfort for pedestrians compared to Bell Street. Joy Chambers Circuit with large open areas and little shade receives large amount of longwave radiation, meaning surfaces warm up during daytime but heat is rapidly dissipated into the atmosphere after sunset.