The Challenge

Los Angeles is heating up. Extreme heat is now the region’s deadliest weather-related threat.

Without relief, residents face a greater risk of heat-related illness, increased energy costs and diminished quality of life — especially in neighborhoods with little or no shade.

Providing cover through trees and man-made structures such as canopies is one of the simplest and most effective defenses against extreme heat. While that protection can transform blistering neighborhoods into safe, livable spaces, it’s not shared equally. Communities most at risk from extreme heat are often those with the least shade.

The Plan

With nine major sporting events on the horizon (including next year’s FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics), the region has an unprecedented opportunity to invest in solutions that will protect residents, workers and visitors alike while creating a lasting legacy.

ShadeLA — led by USC Dornsife Public Exchange in collaboration with UCLA, the city and county of Los Angeles, and nonprofits and community groups — is an effort to bring much-needed shade across L.A.

Together, these partners are identifying where shade is most urgently needed, protecting the shade we already have, and cutting through the red tape to add more. By providing tools, guidance and technical support, ShadeLA is also making it easier for residents, businesses, schools and public agencies to be part of the shade movement.

The Impact

Expanding shade isn’t just about comfort — it’s about survival. Shade can reduce “feels-like” temperatures by as much as 35 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit — a difference that can protect health, save lives and significantly reduce heat-related trips to the emergency room, easing the burden on local hospitals.

The project is working closely with residents, community organizations and policymakers to ensure solutions are not only effective but embraced.