In another effort to combat extreme heat in the fifth largest city in the country, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and the Phoenix City Council passed the Shade Phoenix Plan, a measure that updates objectives from 2010 and doubles down on the number of trees that will be planted every year.
Please click here to read the plan.
When fully implemented, 27,000 trees will be planted and 550 shade structures will be erected.
Eighty five percent of this Plan will be carried out in low to moderate income communities.
In the introduction to the plan, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego wrote:
“As Phoenix continues to experience rising summer temperatures and more frequent extreme heat events, it is more important than ever that we expand shade coverage from both trees and built structures. In the hottest months, shade can make up to a 30-degree difference. Those of us in Phoenix know that that difference can be significant and in extreme cases, lifesaving…”
“…The goals outlined in the Plan complement years of intentional policymaking that puts resilience at the forefront. From implementing our Walkable Urban Code that increases shade in high-volume pedestrian areas to curbing our emissions through efficiency improvements and renewable energy expansion, we are well on our way to becoming the most sustainable desert city in the world—a goal set thanks to the will of Phoenix voters in 2015.”
“These efforts are not just critical for cooling our city and keeping Phoenicians safe. They are also essential to improve air quality, reduce energy consumption, and provide beautiful, functional spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round. Additionally, the strategies in the Plan were tailored to fit our unique home here in the Sonoran Desert, with water conservation and biodiversity as key considerations.”
In a City of Phoenix Press Release, Dr. Dave Hondula, the Director of the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation at the City of Phoenix stated:
“Increasing shade is an incredibly high priority for our community. The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is proud to have led the development of the new Shade Phoenix Plan. We are honored to be a part of the transformative initiatives and actions in the plan in collaboration with city departments and community partners. We appreciate the support of Mayor and City Council and the many voices who helped make this plan strong.”
The day after the City Council vote, Mayor Gallego celebrated passage of the Shade Phoenix Plan at an event at Solano Elementary, posting on social media:
Please click here to read past articles on how Mayor Gallego and the City Council have endeavored to combat extreme heat and make Phoenix a leader in sustainability.
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