The plan seeks to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands by preserving and growing the city's tree canopy.
The city of Dallas has adopted "the city's first urban forest master plan, with 14 recommendations for a unified approach to build a resilient and equitable urban forest," reports Marian Rachal in Smart Cities Dive. The plan calls for regulations that "support tree canopy preservation and growth, maximizing investment in urban forest programs and management, and creating a city storm response and recovery plan."
The Texas Trees Foundation, the non-profit that developed the plan, argues that as development in Dallas increases, the city is at higher risk for "heat island effects that affect a significant number of economically and medically vulnerable residents." A recent study on heat islands showed that "Dallas is heating up faster than every other U.S. city except for Phoenix" and could, by 2050, "have 30 to 60 additional days over 100 degrees F per year." Urban forests provide other benefits, too: "higher standardized test scores at middle schools, decreases in violent crimes, improved mental health and even shorter hospital stays for patients with views of trees," increased property values, and reduced energy costs.
The Dallas plan follows other urban forest management initiatives in cities like Los Angeles, which "in 2019 created a city forest officer position with a Southern California urban forestry expert specifically focused on managing the city's urban forest."
FULL STORY: Dallas adopts its first urban forest master plan
Global Report Shows Urban Forests Failing to Meet Vital Standards
The study reveals significant gaps in urban forestry, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms, innovative planting solutions, and expanded tree canopy to combat climate change and improve urban health.
Planting Trees Where They are Most Needed
Recently, the U.S. Forest Service awarded over $1 billion in competitive grants to expand equitable access to trees and their benefits. Grantees include Los Angeles County and TreePeople, who are working to plant trees where they are most needed.
Planning for Trees in Los Angeles
The County and City of Los Angeles are working together on community engagement efforts for their Urban Forest Management Plans (UFMPs).
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Connecticut Just Cause Eviction Bill Dies in State House
The bill would have protected tenants from unfair evictions by requiring landlords to provide a reason for ending a lease.
San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.
Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions