Identify Low-Canopy Neighborhoods

Explore your community

In most cities, affluent neighborhoods tend to be the ones with the most trees. Lower income parts of the city almost always have the fewest. And it’s in these neighborhoods where the burdens of climate change, such as those listed below, fall most heavily.

Children playing in Phoenix yard.
  • Higher levels of respiratory diseases, stress, cardiovascular illness and shorter life expectancy
  • More extreme impacts from climate change including heat-related deaths
  • Performance gaps on standardized educational tests
  • Scant access to green space and parks
Tree Equity Score logo. The words "Tree Equity Score" on the right-hand side of the logo with one word on three separate lines with bold and black. On the left-hand side is a stylized oak leaf in bold, black outline with two leaf veins or diagonal lines, one on the left and one on the right of the leaf. The top right diagonal side of the leaf has a grass green color. The bottom right diagonal side of the leaf has a lighter green color. The top left diagonal side of the leaf has a light orange color. The bottom left diagonal side of the leaf has a darker orange color. The green and orange colors of the leaf reflect the colors used in the Tree Equity Score tool. The orange color shows a lower Tree Equity Score, while the green shows a higher Tree Equity Score.
This free online tool will help you map your city's neighborhoods and identify those with the fewest trees and the most vulnerable residents.
Learn why shade not only saves lives but improves the quality of life
Learn how to access shade data on the Tree Equity Score

But you can't do it all at once

Start where success is possible.

To assure continuing progress and cement prospects for future funding, you may want to focus early investment on neighborhoods that have the social, organizational and leadership assets in place or emerging.

What might distinguish those places?

  • Active block and/or neighborhood associations
  • Local congregations active in community affairs
  • Effective, engaged city council member or legislative representative
  • Nearby college or university
  • Local residents visibly active and respected in community
  • Vocal citywide equity advocate(s)
  • Past recognition for neighborhood-led initiatives
  • Local schools, teachers offering environmental education
  • Planned infrastructure upgrade, redevelopment project
  • Local businesses, other companies support community initiatives 

Vibrant Cities Lab has a new look, new resources and new ways to get involved in greening your city. We’re introducing several new digital resources including a Cool Corridors Guide, Urban Forestry Roadmap and Forest Health information that will help urban foresters and related professionals build thriving programs for their communities. 

On December 31, 2025, old.vibrantcitieslab.com (note the new URL) will close. Make sure you download any resources or action guides you don’t want to miss.

Get involved with us by sending your feedback on the new website or sharing your best urban forestry success stories with us at info@vibrantcitieslab.org.