Eastside Is About To Get Even Cooler

LOS ANGELES, CA —In a ground-up approach to fighting climate change, Los Angeles will begin a new phase of planting trees and installing cool pavement across several neighborhoods, including communities in the East LA area.

The project, dubbed "Cool Neighborhoods," is the second phase of "Cool Streets L.A," which aims to cool down the city's heat islands. The city will install 60 miles of cool pavement, nearly 2,000 trees and covered bus shelters to to Pico Union, Westlake South, North Hollywood, Canoga Park, Sylmar, Vermont Square, South Central and Boyle Heights. Light colored cool pavement reduces ambient temperatures because it reflects sunlight more than it absorbs heat like normal pavement.

"The skyrocketing temperatures on our streets is an equity issue that puts local communities on the front line of the climate crisis," said Mayor Eric Garcetti.

"Our hottest and most vulnerable neighborhoods are our top priority when it comes to climate action, and this program is about taking action in ways that will make a direct impact on people's daily lives."

Garcetti announced the new program alongside Councilmen Bob Blumenfield and Paul Krekorian on Monday morning in North Hollywood, which received 13.4 lane miles of cool pavement -- the largest single application in Los Angeles' history.

"The Cool Pavement Neighborhood Program links innovative technology with nature to create vibrant urban communities across Los Angeles," Krekorian said. "As with the initiative to transition Los Angeles to 100 percent clean energy by 2035, this program imagines a healthier future for our children and grandchildren. I am delighted that the Bureau of Street Services chose to launch it in my council district."

Cool Streets L.A. was first introduced in 2019 to advance the city's Green New Deal goals by piloting 10 cool streets projects by 2025.

According to the mayor's office, the program will help the city reduce urban/rural temperature differential by at least 1.7 degrees by 2025 and 3 degrees by 2035, while also increasing the city's tree canopy in areas with the most need by at least 50% by 2028.

"Every valley resident knows just how hot our region gets and, from growing our urban tree canopy to expanding the Cool Pavement program, it's imperative to keep embracing solutions to combat the heat island effect," said Blumenfield, who is also chair of the Public Works Committee.

"I was proud to bring the first 'Cool Street' to my district in 2017 and my hope is that as more and more streets get this treatment, L.A. will soon be the world's first 'Cool City.' "

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.