City-led planting in heat islands
Resident asks the city to use data to plant trees and food-producing plants in heat island areas without waiting for property owner requests, since renters in hot areas get left behind.
English title and summary written with AI from the resident's text.
The resident's idea, as submitted
The idea
Use eminent domain and other city powers to plant trees and other plants in heat islands. Use data to determine areas with heat issues and plant food producing trees and plants.
Who it helps and why
Currently, property owners can request a tree. This disproportionately leaves behind poorer residents who have to rent. That's also the hottest areas. This policy would even the playing field so ALL areas have access to heat mitigation.
Details
- Cycle
- 2025–26
- Submitted
- July 5, 2025
- Neighborhood
- City-wide
- Portal category
- Sustainability
- How it was submitted
- Individual submission
- Submission language
- English
- Themes
- Parks, trees & climate
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text.
The same need in other cycles
City-wide ideas in Parks, trees & climate from the other cycles, up to 3 from each.
2026–27 (97 matching)
- Native plantings in squares and plazasResident asks to replace plantings in Boston squares and plazas with native plants using permaculture principles, supporting biodiversity and saving the city replanting costs.2026–27City-wide
- More playground shade and winter indoor playgroupsResident asks for more shade at playgrounds and more indoor playgroups during winter.2026–27City-wide
- Trees or shade sails at Millennium PlaygroundResident asks for trees or shade sails at city playgrounds like Millennium Playground to reduce heat and burn risk so families can use them safely in summer.2026–27City-wide
2024–25 (54 matching)
- Picnic seating along the Emerald NecklaceResident asks for picnic seating throughout the Emerald Necklace so people can enjoy meals outdoors and feel more community connection.2024–25City-wide
- Cleaner, safer parks and playgroundsResident asks for more trash barrels, pickup schedules and closing gates for parks near busy streets so children have clean, safe places to play, especially in low-income neighborhoods.2024–25City-wide
- Plant more trees and vegetation citywideResident asks for reforestation and more greenery to adapt to climate change and lower urban temperatures, especially helping people without air conditioning.2024–25City-wide