Heat
Urban Greening
Jun 2026 • Research Brief
Hot Observations About Shade in Tulsa
Based on data from our national Shade Map
Researcher(s): Jean Claude Iradukunda and V. Kelly Turner
Abstract:
Shade is a highly effective and low-cost way to keep people cool, and Tulsa has about the same amount of shade as 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.

