Study: LA Could Get Rid of Almost Half its Pavement

A new report called DepaveLA finds that roughly 44 percent of Los Angeles County’s 312,000 acres of pavement may not be essential for roads, sidewalks, or parking. Conducted by Accelerate Resilience L.A. and Hyphae Design Laboratory, the parcel-level analysis distinguishes between “core” pavement (such as streets) and “non-core” pavement that could potentially be redesigned or removed.

By pairing pavement data with heat, flooding, and tree canopy information, the study creates a new framework for identifying where depaving could most benefit climate resilience and public health. Researchers were surprised to find that nearly 70 percent of non-core pavement sits on private property, especially in commercial and industrial parking lots.

Rather than calling for sweeping removal, the report emphasizes practical, incremental changes. Parking lots represent one of the biggest opportunities: redesigning standard 90-degree parking into angled layouts could free up to 1,600 acres without reducing the number of spaces, creating room for trees and stormwater capture. Residential properties also hold potential; cutting small tree wells into paved patios could collectively remove over 1,500 acres of hardscape while minimally affecting usable space. Schools are another focus, as many campuses are heavily paved and expose students to extreme heat. Projects like the greening of Esperanza Elementary School demonstrate how replacing asphalt with native plants, shade trees, and stormwater features can transform “seas of asphalt” into cooler, more inviting spaces.

Still, the report’s authors stress that depaving must be thoughtful and context-sensitive. Some paved areas cap contaminated soils, particularly in industrial neighborhoods, and cannot simply be removed. Experts also note that without policy or financial incentives, private property owners have little reason to reduce hardscape. Drawing comparisons to Southern California’s lawn-replacement rebate programs, advocates suggest education and incentives could shift norms around pavement just as they did around turf. Ultimately, the goal is not to mandate wholesale removal but to spark a broader conversation: if pavement is treated as a design choice rather than a default, Los Angeles may be able to cool its hottest blocks, expand green space, and build healthier neighborhoods for the future.