Experts emphasize that planting and maintaining trees in urban areas is essential for reducing extreme heat, cooling cities, and preventing heat-related illnesses, especially as heatwaves become more frequent and severe.
As extreme heat events become more frequent and severe due to climate change, experts are urging cities to rely more on trees to mitigate rising temperatures. At a symposium titled Urban Forestry for Changing Times, over 150 arborists, scientists, and community members gathered to discuss the urgent need to plant more trees in California’s urban areas. Researchers like Edith de Guzman from UCLA emphasized that trees are not just aesthetic, but essential for cooling communities by blocking sunlight and providing evaporative cooling.
Scientific studies show that tree canopies can reduce ground temperatures by 11 to 19 degrees compared to areas without trees. Cindy Blain of California ReLeaf, a nonprofit promoting tree planting, noted that trees play a critical role in cooling urban spaces and should be strategically and carefully selected and maintained. The challenge, especially in California, is ensuring trees receive adequate water since they cannot be left unattended after planting as they might be in other regions.
As reported by Rob Hayes, experts highlighted the importance of trees in reducing heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly in communities with fewer trees. According to de Guzman, neighborhoods shaded by trees experience lower instances of heat-related health issues, underlining the potential life-saving benefits of expanded urban forestry. As temperatures continue to rise, tree planting and care will be vital in protecting vulnerable populations from the harmful impacts of extreme heat.
FULL STORY: Experts: Lean on trees for relief from extreme heat, heatwaves
Invasive Beetles Put Oregon Forests at Risk
Two recently discovered borer beetles could lead to a significant loss of tree canopy.
LA’s Tree Emergency Goes Beyond Vandalism
After a vandal destroyed dozens of downtown LA trees, Mayor Karen Bass vowed to replace them. Days later, she slashed the city’s tree budget.
A Plan to Expand Tree Canopy Across Dayton
Dayton is developing an urban forest master plan, using a $2 million grant to expand its tree canopy, address decades of tree loss, and enhance environmental equity across the city.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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)