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

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing
A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

California Legislative Package Seeks to Address Homelessness and Mental Health
The state is investing $22 billion in supportive housing, mental health services, shelter beds, and housing units for its most vulnerable residents.

Advancing Shade Equity in LA’s Koreatown
Koreatown is one of Los Angeles's densest and most park-poor communities. A privately funded tree planting initiative will bring some much needed greenery and shade to the area.

Federal Government Announces National Climate Resilience Framework
The document is designed to guide federal investment into community-driven solutions tailored to local conditions and needs.
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