Tree Inequality in Portland: Why is their less shade in some neighborhoods
Portland is known as a very green city, with neighborhoods full of large trees, small parks, and streets that are covered with giant trees. This makes walking around the city enjoyable. Some neighborhoods don't have as much amount of tree coverage and is causing the areas to be hotter during the summer, especially in East Portland.
The term tree canopy is used to describe layers of leaves and branches that cover an area from above. The covers are used to cool the city and reducing the temperatures from the sun, this process is called evapotranspiration. Meaning that areas with less trees tend to be much hotter than areas with tree coverage that tend to be cooler.
In Portland, the dispersement of trees is not balanced throughout the city. East Portland and low income communities tend to have the lowest tree coverage. This often means that these areas have fewer parks and green space that people can hang out around, this causing the parks and areas to be hotter temperatures during heat waves.
The minimal amount of tree canopies in some of these neighborhoods is connected to future long-term urban development problems. Urban developments that were quickly developed or with fewer environmental protections tend to have less green spaces. Over time this will lead to environmental inequalities where some communities experience more intense heat levels.
As summers in Portland continue to get increasingly hotter, the warmer areas with little to no coverage get hotter. While being in these communities there is an increase of the risk of health issues. High temperatures that can't be maintained with air conditioning because of the cost or cool indoor spaces, the risk becomes even higher.
Portland has started to address this issue through different forestry programs and tree-planting initiatives. Throughout the city has launched programs to increase the canopy coverage that the trees offer in neighborhoods.
While the city is always changing and growing, tree canopy is a small part that would majorly help the city in a huge way. To help the communities health and quality of life, by expanding tree coverage in areas that are experiencing the most heat problems, this can improve air quality and create a more comfortable space for residents. For Portland to continue to flourish, access to green spaces and shade becomes more important.
Community groups organize tree planting events and try to get the neighborhood involved. Below is a link that has more information about how to help.
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