CLIMATE-SMART CITIES RICHMOND

Decision Support Tool Overview

With 32 miles of shoreline, the City of Richmond, California sits on the front lines of climate change. It is facing increasing risks from extreme heat, flooding, and sea level rise while long-standing inequities and a legacy of industrial pollution further exacerbate these hazards. In response, Richmond is working proactively to protect those who are most vulnerable while improving quality of life citywide. 

The Tool

The Climate-Smart Cities Richmond tool is an interactive mapping resource that helps identify at the city, neighborhood and even parcel scale where climate solutions can have the greatest impact. It organizes data around four key strategies—Cool, Connect, Absorb, and Protect—to show how nature-based solutions like parks, greenways, and stormwater improvements can reduce heat, manage flooding, improve access, and strengthen resilience. 

Trails and greenways provide carbon-free transportation options and link residents to popular destinations and each other.
Shady green spaces reduce the “urban heat island” effect, protect people from heat waves, and reduce summer energy use.
Water-smart parks, playgrounds, and green alleys act as sponges to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
Strategically placed shoreline parks and natural lands buffer cities from rising seas, coastal storms, and river flooding.

It also incorporates data on climate equity, critical infrastructure, public health, and green infrastructure suitability to help city staff, community organizations, and residents prioritize projects and direct funding to where they’re needed most. 

How It Was Built

In 2017, Trust for Public Land (TPL) partnered with the City of Richmond and community organizations to develop this tool as part of a broader effort to advance equitable climate resilience. Working with local leaders and technical experts, TPL designed a platform that integrates technical analysis with community insight. 

The tool was updated in 2025 with guidance from a local technical advisory team to incorporate new data, refine methodologies, and better support evolving city priorities. 

Partners in Action

The tool has helped shape Richmond’s climate planning and unlock major investments. Its insights informed the City’s Resilience Roadmap, guiding long-term strategies and project prioritization. 

It also supported the Richmond Rising partnership, which secured a $35 million Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant to fund community-driven projects, including green infrastructure, affordable housing, and transportation improvements. 

Today, TPL continues to work with the City and local partners to implement these and other efforts. 

Richmond CSC
Richmond CSC

Learn More

Explore more about Trust for Public Land’s work in the Bay Area and its nationwide Climate-Smart Cities program: