CLIMATE SMART CITIES
LOS ANGELES

Summary

The Climate-Smart Los Angeles project delivers on the commitment of the Trust for Public Land to assist the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and City departments in meeting several goals of the city’s 2015 sustainability pLAn and the revised 2019 Green New Deal pLAn. In 2016, we worked with over 20 local experts, who comprise the Technical Advisory Team, ranging from City planning staff, City and County watershed protection staff, LA Metro, public health experts, local academic and research institutions, and community leaders in developing a data-based Geographic Information System (GIS) decision support tool. The tool gives decision makers the ability to identify and prioritize locations, down to the parcel level, where nature-based green infrastructure can achieve multiple benefits. We’ve since updated this tool in partnership with local stakeholders. Below are a few of the City’s Green New Deal pLAn goals we hope can be supported through the Decision Support Tool:

  • Reduce urban/rural temperature difference by 1.7°F by 2025, and 3.0°F by 2035;
  • Increase tree canopy in areas of greatest need by at least 50% by 2028;
  • Increase the percentage of all trips made by walking, biking, micro-mobility / matched rides or transit to at least 35% by 2025; 50% by 2035; and maintain at least 50% by 2050;
  • Source 70% of L.A.’s water locally and capture 150,000 acre ft/yr (AFY) of stormwater by 2035;
  • Build at least 10 new multi-benefit stormwater capture projects by 2025; 100 by 2035; and 200 by 2050;
  • Ensure 65% of Angelenos live within ½ mile of a park or open space by 2025; 75% by 2035; and 100% by 2050.

Our Climate-Smart Cities process bring together a team of experts to research, design, and build the infrastructure and tools that help increase our resilience to climate change. Our strategy is to: