Abstract:

This ShadeLA research brief argues that Los Angeles must reform its permitting and land use policies to rapidly expand built shade infrastructure — such as bus shelters, canopies, and shade sails — as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe. The brief finds that current regulations are fragmented and unclear, slowing deployment in the communities most vulnerable to outdoor heat exposure, and recommends streamlining permitting, integrating shade into development standards, and investing in heat-resilient public infrastructure.