USC collaborates with ShadeLA coalition for cooling Los Angeles before 2028

USC unveils ShadeLA, an ambitious new joint endeavor aimed at cooling Los Angeles through the expansion of tree canopy and shade infrastructure in essential public and community areas.

With significant sporting occasions such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching — compounded by climate change leading to more frequent and severe heat waves — ShadeLA is focused on safeguarding Angelenos and visitors while establishing a lasting legacy of resilience.

ShadeLA is headed by USC Dornsife Public Exchange in partnership with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, alongside the participation of the city of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles Chief Sustainability Office, L.A. Metro, and the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28). The initiative is driven by a growing number of community organizations that have implemented local shade projects throughout Los Angeles and the area, ensuring that solutions are community-driven and cater to neighborhood needs. ShadeLA builds upon the city’s emphasis on tree canopy equity and its long-standing collaboration with USC’s Urban Trees Initiative.

“For years, USC Dornsife Public Exchange has been a leader in sustainable urban forestry,” USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim stated. “Now, we’re excited to be at the forefront of ShadeLA, a crucial initiative that utilizes our groundbreaking research to enhance the quality of life for everyone in Los Angeles.”

“Extreme heat continues to affect the lives of Angelenos, and this partnership empowers our communities to unite, cultivate resilience, and cool our neighborhoods,” L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stated. “As we get ready to welcome people from around the globe, this initiative will create a lasting impact for Angelenos for many years to come.”

ShadeLA: Addressing the most fatal climate hazard of our era

Extreme heat is the most lethal climate hazard confronting Los Angeles — a situation intensifying year after year. The city’s dense population, concrete structures, and uneven tree coverage enhance temperatures, particularly in at-risk neighborhoods. Intense heat leads to an estimated 1,500 additional daily emergency room visits per “heat day” across L.A. County. By 2050, the number of extreme heat days is anticipated to increase by 31%, imposing even greater pressure on low-income communities and communities of color, who confront heightened risks of heat-related conditions and limited access to cooling and medical care.

Shade offers one of the most efficient and affordable methods to mitigate heat risk. Be it from a tree, canopy, awning, or bus shelter, shaded areas can
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experience temperatures between 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in direct sunlight. It’s straightforward, scalable, and can be incorporated into everyday environments where individuals live, work, and transit.

Los Angeles County possesses less shade than the national norm. Urban regions in the county only receive an average of 21% shade at midday when the sun is positioned directly overhead, as opposed to the national average of 27%, according to the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and their National Shade Map, which forms part of American Forests’ Tree Equity Score.

“ShadeLA is concerned with more than just trees and structures — it’s fundamentally about communities,” remarked Monica Dean, climate and sustainability practice director at USC Dornsife Public Exchange. “This initiative addresses heat not solely as an environmental concern but as a matter of public health, infrastructure, and community resilience. We’re crafting solutions aimed at safeguarding lives — during significant events and in daily life.”

What ShadeLA aims to achieve

The initiative concentrates on four primary objectives:

• Increase shade: ShadeLA collaborates with public organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and community groups to introduce fresh shade to areas most in need — including school grounds, pavements, parks, and other common locales.
• Preserve current shade: Sustaining the shade we already possess — whether from mature trees or constructed assets — is essential for keeping communities cool. ShadeLA supports local stewards, provides direction and training, and partners with public organizations to clarify obligations and secure funding for ongoing maintenance.
• Apply science to guide choices: Research, data, and planning tools are utilized to identify where shade is critically required, assess which solutions will yield the most significant benefits, and monitor outcomes over time. This evidence-driven method ensures that shade initiatives are not only strategically placed but also aligned with public health, climate, and community priorities — transforming research into tangible actions.
• Simplify the process: Enhancing shade should not be complex — yet, all too often, it is. ShadeLA strives to streamline the approach by offering practical resources, explicit direction, and technical assistance for residents, businesses, educational institutions, and agencies. A wealth of resources is already accessible, but confusion and misconceptions can impede progress. By tackling these obstacles directly, the campaign empowers more individuals to participate in cultivating a cooler Los Angeles.

These initiatives will evolve and be shaped in conjunction with local communities and organizations throughout Los Angeles. Collectively, they aspire to create a more pleasant and inhabitable L.A., one shaded area at a time.

“We are dedicated to assisting residents in maintaining their composure as climatic effects escalate,” stated Rita Kampalath, chief sustainability officer for Los Angeles County. “Creating additional constructed and natural shade will benefit not only visitors but will also yield advantages for vulnerable residents for generations to come.”

From tree planting to shade construction

USC Dornsife Public Exchange and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation bring extensive expertise to ShadeLA. Public Exchange spearheads the USC Urban Trees Initiative, a multi-year, data-informed endeavor to aid the city of Los Angeles in prioritizing tree planting in areas of significant need. This work merges environmental, public health, and equity data to steer tree planting initiatives and has led to the planting and maintenance of nearly 1,000 trees in South and East Los Angeles.

UCLA is illustrating how trees and alternative shade forms impact people’s heat experiences and measuring shade’s effects in locations such as residences, schools, and streets. For instance, the newly developed National Shade Map, created by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and American Forests, enables communities to visualize when and where they have shade, furnishing decision-makers with the first accessible and comprehensive opportunity to identify “shade deserts” and prioritize investments to counteract the effects of heat.

While trees are crucial, they aren’t always practical — especially in densely populated, paved, or transit-centric zones where space, soil, and infrastructure constraints hinder planting. ShadeLA builds on this foundation by broadening its focus to incorporate constructed shade solutions such as canopies, awnings, and modular structures.

“We stand at a pivotal moment as L.A. experiences increased temperatures, and we are excited to partner with USC, to lead with evidence, and to jointly envision a livable future for our community,” expressed Edith de Guzman, water and adaptation policy cooperative extension specialist at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.

To kick off the campaign, ShadeLA is launching a range of activities to inspire innovation, engage the public, and direct strategic investments. In the upcoming weeks, new survey data from LABarometer, situated at USC Dornsife’s Center for Economic and Social Research, will provide insights into how residents perceive heat and value shade in their surroundings.

A global focus on Los Angeles

L.A. is set to host the world at significant global sporting events. In 2026, SoFi Stadium will feature eight FIFA World Cup matches, including the U.S. men’s national team opener. In 2028, Los Angeles will welcome the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“LA28 is devoted to integrating sustainable solutions throughout the Games’ framework,” stated Becky Dale, vice president of sustainability at LA28. “ShadeLA not only aims to keep spectators cool during the Games but also to establish a legacy of a cooler, greener Los Angeles for all Angelenos.”

By broadening shade availability and exemplifying collaborative climate action, ShadeLA seeks to demonstrate how a major global city can confront extreme heat while creating safer, healthier public spaces for everyone — both now and in the future.

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For additional details, refer to the ShadeLA Fact Sheet.

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