How USC research sparked a new vision for keeping Los Angeles cool

The ShadeLA temporary shade structure provides dramatic relief from the hot sun. (Photo/Skysthelimitvideos)

How USC research sparked a new vision for keeping Los Angeles cool

Researchers from USC Dornsife and USC Viterbi are helping ShadeLA bring temperatures down across the city.

September 9, 2026

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On a blazing June afternoon, World Cup fans attending a city of Los Angeles “Kick It In the Park” watch party stepped beneath a temporary shade structure and experienced sweet relief from the scorching sun. Under the canopy, surface temperatures hovered around 74 degrees. But on the exposed basketball courts next to the shade structure, surface temperatures were as much as 51 degrees hotter.

That dramatic difference shows how extreme heat is reshaping our outdoor experiences — and that access to shade needs to be prioritized as a public health necessity, not simply a comfort.

That’s why ShadeLA — a coalition led by USC and UCLA to make L.A. more heat-resilient — is piloting a new concept: a mobile shade “lending library” that could allow L.A. public agencies and community organizations to quickly deploy temporary shade, including for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games, future mega-events and wherever residents need it most.

The post appeared first on USC Dornsife.