Heat
May 2026 • Research Brief
Hot Observations About Shade in Minneapolis
Based on data from our national Shade Map
Researcher(s): Jean Claude Iradukunda and V. Kelly Turner
Summary:
Shade is a highly effective and low-cost way to keep people cool, and Minneapolis has more shade than most U.S. cities, largely due to tree cover. However, shade is unevenly distributed, with some neighborhoods — often lower-income and more diverse — having significantly less coverage. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving heat safety and reducing inequities across the city.

