The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is now soliciting support for a new congressional effort aimed at bolstering heat mitigation strategies in vulnerable communities across the country.

The bill, formally titled H.R. 7534, was introduced by Democratic Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego and would enhance the ability of landscape professionals to design solutions that will mitigate the effects of heat on urban areas across through the establishment of a new grant program to be administered by HUD and the EPA.

Project types that will be eligible for funding after the establishment of the new act include pavement cooling, shade structures, cooling centers, green roofs, drought-tolerant vegetation planting, and other techniques.

Further technical assistance will be provided to communities that meet the criteria outlined in the bill’s Environmental Justice rider, with each applicant required to produce documents that “outline how the entity will meaningfully engage with the communities in which their eligible projects take place throughout project implementation.” Under the bill, each plan shall include a detailed explanation as to how it will:

• foster meaningful, reciprocal relationships with community-based organizations;
• engage in respectful, good-faith consultation with diverse community stakeholders;
• empower members of the community to participate in decision making; and
• address the intersection between human health, environment, and built environment.

A total of $30 million would be allotted to initiate the program between fiscal years 2023 and 2030. Eligible projects in low income communities will also be given priority for the funding. The full ASLA petition can be accessed here.