The desert city faces a growing risk from extreme heat waves and stronger, more unpredictable storms.
The city of Tucson, Arizona announced it will begin implementing its climate action plan, developed in part as a response to more intense heat waves and extreme weather events, according to a piece by Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the plan balances short- and long-range planning “to protect residents now while also plugging away at long-term efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become more resilient to extreme weather events.”
The plan includes establishing cooling centers for residents with limited access to safe, air-conditioned spaces, as well as ‘resilience hubs’ that provide cooling services and are powered by solar energy and batteries to stay operational during power outages. “The city also offers free access to showers, pools, and splash pads.”
“Tucson’s long-term climate plans revolve around decarbonizing the city and planting trees to sequester planet-warming carbon dioxide, Romero said.” The city has also created a stormwater harvesting program to help conserve scarce water resources.
FULL STORY: Tucson, Arizona, gears up climate action as city faces extreme weather
Extreme Heat Responsible for Growing Death Rates Among Unhoused People
Extreme heat events like the ‘heat dome’ that baked Southern California last summer kill a disproportionate number of people experiencing homelessness, who have fewer resources to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
Why It's So Difficult to Measure Heat Deaths
Without a standard for recording and classifying heat-related deaths, experts believe the scale of the problem is much bigger than numbers let on.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Children
As summers get hotter and more dangerous, parents can take steps to protect kids from heat-related illnesses.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)