Resiliency

The Climate Action Plan looks at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and lessen the impacts of extreme weather events. Resiliency helps the community bounce back when the climate impacts stressors or shocks emerge. 

Cooling Urban Infill Area 

In the urban center, over 25 percent of families live below poverty; 33 percent of individuals over 65 live alone; and almost 2000 households are without vehicles.  Over one-third of homeowners and over half of renters spend more than 30 percent of their gross income on their residence and utilities. (U.S. Census, 2017) 

These neighborhoods are characterized by asphalt roads, narrow sidewalks, and cinderblock constructed homes with minimal energy efficiency measures and landscaping which can raise ambient temperatures by more than 10°F day and night. The city’s shade canopy covers less than 4% of its land area.

The Nevada neighborhood is representative of an area that is significantly impacted by urban heat island. This project establishes a mile-long green corridor that harvests rainwater, neighboring residential tree planting, and other community-driven projects in the Nevada neighborhood, a low/ moderate-income area.