While the east coast suffers through a brutal early summer heat wave, researchers in Los Angeles have announced the findings of the most advanced regional climate modeling ever conducted, which shows that So Cal will feel the heat soon enough.
Released this week, "Mid-Century Warming in the Los Angeles Region", which researchers at UCLA are calling "the most sophisticated regional climate study ever developed," shows that "climate change will cause temperatures in the Los Angeles region to rise
by an average of 4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of this
century, tripling the number of extremely hot days in the downtown area
and quadrupling the number in the valleys and at high elevations."
"That's the bad news," writes Damien Newton. "The good news, even by acting locally there is
something that L.A. can do....Today, the City released Adapt LA [PDF],
a fact sheet outlining what principles the city must embrace to both
prepare for higher temperatures and work to keep them as low as
possible, and C-Change LA , its new
climate change website. AdaptLA has four major components: 1)
science-based evaluation of the impacts of climate change; 2) assessment
of the vulnerability of and risks to City infrastructure and assets; 3)
regional collaboration; and 4) public engagement."
The C-Change website outlines the types of things homes and businesses can do to assist in minimizing and responding to climate change. Speaking this week, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
outlined some of the ways to keep the city cool: "That could mean replacing
incentives with building codes requiring 'green' and 'cool' roofs, cool
pavements, tree canopies and parks."
"'Mid-Century Warming in the Los Angeles Region' is the first of five
planned studies [UCLA climate expert Alex] Hall will conduct for the city and the LARC about how
climate change will affect the Southland. Hall's team plans to develop
similarly comprehensive models for local rainfall, Santa Ana wind
patterns, coastal fog (including June gloom), and soil moisture, run-off
and evaporation."
FULL STORY: The Keys to Beating, or at Least Fighting, Climate Change: Bikes, Transit, Parks, Trees
LA’s Trees Absorb More Carbon Than Expected, But Can’t Do It Alone
A USC study finds that Los Angeles’ urban trees absorb more carbon than expected, but while they provide crucial environmental benefits, they cannot replace the urgent need for systemic emissions reductions.
Sustainability Expert Becomes Dean of USC’s School of Public Policy
Chris Boone, a sustainability leader, becomes dean of the USC Price School of Public Policy, where he aims to advance interdisciplinary solutions and sustainability initiatives while building on the school’s legacy of public policy leadership.
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.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research