How Los Angeles' Urban Parks Battle Climate Change

An overview of how Los Angeles County’s Department of Parks and Recreation is creating projects that tackle the effects of climate change, by planner Clement Lau.

1 minute read

August 1, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By melaniecj


Those hoping to minimize the effects of climate change must not overlook local urban parks as an important tool in the effort.

Clement Lau, a Los Angeles County planner, discusses how communities can use local and regional parks for carbon sequestration and to offset the urban heat island effect
“Parks are the first and best line of defense against the urban heat island effect, and its mostly negative consequences of modified temperature, precipitation, wind, and air quality patterns.  In particular, urban parks cool and clean the air, improve and modify local wind circulations, and better regulate precipitation patterns.”
Lau highlights various park projects the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation ((DPR) has in the works and has completed to help ease the effects of climate change.
“…DPR has been proactively and progressively addressing these challenges through its planning, design,construction, and renovation projects and practices.”
Clement also lists numerous reference documents and manuals used by Los Angeles County but helpful to any municipality in designing their parks for maximum climate change impact.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 in UrbDeZine

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.