As Southern California grapples with increasingly severe and prolonged heat waves, the lack of shade in vast areas of Los Angeles has emerged as a pressing public health issue.
Research indicates that shaded regions can experience a significant difference in heat burden — an aggregate measure of temperature, humidity, and wind — with shades being 35 to 70 degrees cooler than neighboring sun-exposed spaces.
Quality shade not only mitigates heat but can also reduce UV radiation exposure by as much as 75%, effectively preventing nearly half of all emergency-room visits during extreme heat events.
In response to this urgent need, a partnership involving various universities, nonprofits, and local agencies has introduced ShadeLA, a strategic initiative focused on enhancing cooling infrastructure across Los Angeles.
Under the leadership of USC Dornsife Public Exchange, which connects academic researchers with policymakers, and UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, ShadeLA aims to identify areas in critical need of shade and develop sustainable methods for installation.
“More than just a comfort, shade is increasingly crucial for public health,” emphasized Edith de Guzman, adjunct assistant professor at UCLA’s Department of Urban Planning and co-lead on the project.
She noted the changing climate, stating, “The climate that made L.A. so idyllic and attractive in the 20th century is now becoming deadly for many of our neighbors.”
In alignment with the forthcoming 2028 Olympics and other significant global events set to take place in Los Angeles, the initiative has garnered support from multiple organizations, including L.A. County’s Chief Sustainability Office and the County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, along with various nonprofits like City Plants, North East Trees, and TreePeople.
“It’s essential that a diverse coalition collaborates to tackle this issue,” commented Monica Dean, director of Climate and Sustainability Practice at USC Dornsife Public Exchange and co-lead on ShadeLA.
Her perspective underscores that the efforts extend beyond simply adding new shade; there is also a vital need to maintain and care for existing shaded areas.
Unlike previous greening initiatives, such as Million Trees LA, which set ambitious targets for tree planting, ShadeLA takes a different approach.
The initiative centers on enhancing “the quality of shade” by leveraging advanced mapping technologies to analyze the usability of ground-level shade in public spaces where community members walk, wait, or gather.
This data-driven methodology facilitates informed decision-making about which projects will yield the most impactful results, whether by planting a large-canopy tree or redesigning a bus stop for additional overhead cover.
As Los Angeles prepares for the influx of visitors for the 2028 Olympics, the need for adequate cooling solutions is expected to intensify.
“We’re thinking of the 2028 Games and related mega-events as leverage points,” de Guzman added. “We hope these events inspire the city to adopt meaningful actions that ensure a lasting legacy.”
The ShadeLA initiative builds on prior research efforts, including the USC Urban Trees Initiative, which previously mapped out areas across Los Angeles needing shade.
In neighborhoods such as Lincoln Heights and Boyle Heights, significant opportunities were identified for new tree plantings, with findings indicating space for nearly 100 additional trees in Hazard Park alone.
Schools and public housing complexes, such as Murchison Street Elementary and Ramona Gardens, have also been identified as priority areas where increased shade could alleviate heat stress.
These regions are characterized by a combination of high pedestrian activity, low canopy cover, and limited access to cooling alternatives such as air conditioning, making them crucial focal points for the ShadeLA initiative.
TreePeople, a seasoned organization in Southern California’s urban forestry movement, has laid out plans for thousands of new trees within the framework of ShadeLA.
This undertaking is not based on a rigid citywide target but rather integrates with the broader goal of establishing substantial and enduring shade.
TreePeople is also committed to facilitating volunteer tree-planting events and offering workshops aimed at educating the community on tree care and maintenance.
Marcos Trinidad, TreePeople’s senior director of forestry, stressed the importance of consistent long-term care for newly planted trees.
“Without a solid commitment from city officials and Olympic planners — a budget or clear resources to ensure tree survival — there’s a risk of repeating past failures,” Trinidad warned.
His vision extends beyond mere numbers; it includes the establishment of a thriving and lasting canopy.
Despite potential challenges, there is an optimistic outlook regarding the ShadeLA initiative.
Trinidad expressed hope that the collaborative spirit fostered through this project would sustain momentum beyond the Olympics, enabling continuous improvements in urban shade.
Ultimately, the leaders involved in ShadeLA aspire to reshape the public perception of shade in Los Angeles, promoting the idea that it is not merely a comfort but a vital element of community health and resilience.
“By changing the way Angelenos perceive our neighborhoods, we can better identify opportunities for increasing shade,” de Guzman said.
Each resident has a role to play in stewarding this critical civic resource, ensuring that shade becomes a cornerstone of the city’s health and sustainability initiatives.
image source from：latimes
