Cool Pavement in Los Angeles Reduces Urban Heat During Heatwaves
Los Angeles has been implementing a 'cool pavement' initiative since 2021, applying a solar-reflective coating to streets, parking lots, and basketball courts to combat the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon causes cities to be 1–7°F (0.5–3.9°C) hotter than surrounding rural areas due to heat absorption by manmade structures. The reflective coating reduces heat absorption by reflecting infrared light, leading to cooler ambient temperatures. A 2024 study in Pacoima, California, published in Environmental Research Communications, found that air above cool pavement was 0.22–2.18°F (0.12–1.21°C) cooler on sunny, non-heatwave days. Additionally, the pavement slows the rate of warming and accelerates cooling in surrounding areas. The project, led by StreetsLA, aims to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves in urban environments. (Source time: Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:47:00 GMT) 
