Thank you to everyone who joined our latest Fireside Chat, Beating the Heat: Strategies for Urban Cooling in Desert Cities. With temperatures rising across Southern Nevada, this conversation couldn’t be more timely.
We were joined by two experts leading the regional charge on climate resiliency:
- Rachel Lewison, Long-Range Planner, City of Las Vegas
- Joey Williams, Climate Adaptation Specialist, Capa Strategies
Moderated by LGA Principals Alexia Chen and Jason Jorjorian, the discussion focused on what the newest heat-mapping data reveals—and what designers, planners, and policymakers can do next.
Key Takeaways
Heat Impacts Are Uneven Across the Valley
New mapping shows temperature differences of up to 15°F between neighborhoods, with East Las Vegas consistently ranking among the hottest due to older trees, more pavement, and historic underinvestment.
Parking Lots + Materials Matter
Large asphalt lots and synthetic turf can reach extreme temperatures (some turf hits 140–148°F). Breaking up pavement with shade islands or tree canopy makes a measurable cooling difference.
Trees & Shade Both Play a Role
-
Trees offer long-term cooling and ecological value.
-
Shade structures provide instant comfort and predictable performance.
Cooling is most effective when cities combine solutions—trees, shade structures, smarter materials, and better site design—rather than relying on any single strategy.
Cities Are Taking Action
Las Vegas is expanding its urban forest with a goal of 25% tree canopy, adding more shade over paved areas, and developing new heat-mitigation policies now required by the state.
Questions We Didn’t Get to During the Live Discussion
- I’m an Architectural Consultant and I’m writing an article on the importance of built shade, and I would love to interview you for my article if you would have some time to! Yes; however, Mike Howe would be much better suited to answer your questions. Who are you writing the article for? Mike’s contact (feel free to cc me): mphowe@lasvegasnevada.gov, rlewison@lasvegasnevada.gov
- Combination of all that you mentioned and lower elevation. In fact, elevation is also a reasonable correlation as well to these maps, especially heat index. Yes, it is hotter where it is lower, which does correlate with the map shown- hotter in the middle of the valley and cooler around the outside of the valley. The middle of the valley also has a lack of tree canopy coverage, which adds to the heat, so the City’s plan is to plant more trees to replace those that have been lost over time.
- link for Urban Forestry Plan? https://lasvegas.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=d9fca421-f645-42dc-917a-0191d2eb19cd
- Hello! I’m curious about how we might talk to young people about this topic, heat island, in a way that empowers them rather than overwhelms them? Many kids already notice their neighborhoods losing trees and feeling hotter, how do we help them see that they have a voice in shaping their environment now and in their future? Thank you! The City of Las Vegas hosts tree planting events during Earth Day, Arbor Day, and sometimes Nevada Day (we received trees donated from ImpactNV). ImpactNV is a local nonprofit that set a goal to plant 100k trees in the next 10 years throughout Nevada. They donated trees to the City of Las Vegas. In addition to tree planting events to gain awareness amongst children- talking about trees while you’re with them, driving around town, etc. is a great way to bring awareness. For example, complimenting big trees or beautiful trees that you enjoy, and pointing out a lack of trees or sickly trees when you see them as well will get children thinking about their surroundings.
- In terms of retrofit our existing neighborhoods, much of Vegas was developed before heat mitigation awareness, are there any city lead interventions or pilot projects that have proven most effective or feasible so far in addressing the urban heat island effect? CAPA lead the UHI heat watch program with RTC in 2022, link HERE. Many years ago Las Vegas had many trees, and prior to AC, those that lived here had to make it work by planting trees, or living in cooler areas. As we adapted to heat by using air conditioners, I think Las Vegas didn’t prioritize trees like they once did before. So, slowly they get cut down, don’t get planted in the first place (developers request waivers), are lost to disease, and are not replanted. Now we have thousands of trees that are lost. This becomes a policy issue more so than a design issue.
- What is the best material in your opinion for artificial shading? Strong elemental materials like wood, stone, passive louvers and bris soliels made of metal or masonry are best.
- what happens if we don’t make any changes? The long term effects? Threats to public health will occur. It will get hotter and hotter, but also the air quality will decline and ozone and pollution will increase. Along with changes in water vapor that affect the atmosphere.
- On the same idea about materials, planting, and shade, what are your opinions on drawing from local/regional knowledge and traditions and indigenous knowledge to design cooling strategies that feel rooted in the land rather than imposed or through manufactured “products”? It is always critically essential to look into pre-western/indigenous architecture and planning, in addition to recognizing indigenous lands. Local/regional knowledge should be used to help with mitigating the extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, Las Vegas is built around the use of single-passenger vehicles and the use of AC during our summer months which increase the city’s temperature. Transportation and buildings are the largest contributors of green house gas emissions. Both things that didn’t exist back then.
- due to air pollutions effects on the urban heat island effect, what is something people can do to help combat these issues like No2, Co2, etc that maybe plants out here would struggle to help combat. Do what you can to limit your carbon footprint. We know that transportation, buildings, solid waste (landfills), are the largest contributors to climate change, and reducing these- would reduce our air pollution. In addition, reusing buildings and materials has been a fun/useful idea seen recently. For example, a section of the Boulevard Mall is now being used as a school. Link HERE
- what resources do we have as architects to help us convince our clients to make changes? I think you already have the knowledge to convince clients to make changes. For example, you can guide clients on how to make buildings better. Encouraging developers to build buildings to last longer, reduce energy consumption, etc. Options to build in stages to help a developers budget may also help.
- Are the trees native Mojave species or just desert adapted? The trees are mostly desert adapted from arid climates all over the world. Many Mojave species (Mesquite, Palo Verde, Acacia) are limited. They’re survivors- so shrubby, thorny, and smaller.
- Have we analyzed the potential future levels of CO₂ if we don’t have sufficient tree coverage? I’m not sure, but the DRI- Heat Lab is doing a lot of research around heat.
- Interesting Article for Reference: Extreme Heat Adaptation in Indigenous Communities Recap: Resources and Recordings Now Available