At the start of the year, students reflected on their own daily experiences in Las Vegas. Certain routes felt unbearable in the heat, especially long sidewalks with no shade, bus stops surrounded by asphalt, and intersections near major roads. This work matters because heat exposure in Las Vegas is unevenly distributed, disproportionately affecting people who rely on walking and public transportation including students, elderly residents, outdoor workers, and families without cars. In a city designed around driving, shaded walking routes are not just comfortable they determine whether people feel safe leaving their homes. Addressing tree canopy is one way to reduce heat risk, improve comfort, and make public spaces more usable in a changing desert climate.
Long stretches of sidewalks offered little to no shade
Bus stops were frequently surrounded by asphalt and concrete, intensifying heat
Intersections near wide arterial roads radiated heat and lacked tree cover
Heat lingered well into the evening due to pavement and building materials
Students who walk to and from school
Elderly residents with limited mobility
Outdoor workers exposed to long periods of direct sun
Families who rely on walking and public transportation rather than cars
Determining whether people feel safe leaving their homes
Shaping access to schools, jobs, transit, and community spaces
Influencing daily decisions about movement during extreme heat
Reduce heat exposure along heavily used walking routes
Improve pedestrian comfort and safety
Make public spaces more usable year-round
Support public health and climate resilience in a desert environment