Blame it on the urban heat island effect.
"The economic impacts of climate change are almost three times higher in large cities like Los Angeles," reports Emily Guerin.
Guerin is sharing findings of a new study published in Nature Climate Change, titled "A global economic assessment of city policies to reduce climate change impacts."
The effects of climate change are exacerbated by the heat island effect: "a phenomenon in which paved surfaces and buildings absorb and radiate heat causing temperatures in cities to climb as much as 19˚F." According to the study's authors, previous studies "overlooked the fact that cities create their own, hotter climates."
In cities like Los Angeles, that means hotter days, occurring more frequently. "In Los Angeles, the number of days that downtown temperatures break 95 degrees is expected to triple by 2050," writes Gurein.
FULL STORY: Costs of climate change triple in big, hot cities like LA, study finds
Improving South Los Angeles Through Strategic Tree Planting
The University of Southern California Urban Trees Initiative is planting 250 trees in South L.A. neighborhoods to improve shade, combat climate change, and enhance community well-being through collaboration and data-driven approaches.
Cool Planning for a Hotter Future
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Green Infrastructure Thinking for Southern Cities in 2022 and Beyond
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San Diego School District Could Accelerate Workforce Housing Program
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Denver Transit Board Approves $1.2 Billion Budget
The 2025 budget for the Regional Transportation District is the largest in the agency’s 55-year history.
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.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
City of Laramie
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners