As cities continue exploring strategies to reduce extreme heat and create more resilient public spaces, a number of noteworthy developments have emerged across policy, funding, and urban-infrastructure planning. From updates to national sustainability standards to new state-level grant programs and example proposals, several initiatives are shaping the current landscape of heat-mitigation efforts.
The following highlights capture some of the most relevant activity occurring across these efforts right now.
LEED v5 for Cities Opens for Public Comment — Feedback Window Closes January 9
The U.S. Green Building Council has released LEED v5 for Cities for public comment, offering an important opportunity for professionals across the built environment to review and respond to proposed updates to the rating system.
This latest version introduces expanded guidance across key impact areas such as:
- decarbonization
- quality of life, equity, and public health
- ecological conservation and restoration
The draft outlines how cities may soon be evaluated on climate resilience, infrastructure performance, and community well-being.
Public comment is open until January 9, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft and share input that will help shape the next generation of city-scale sustainability standards.
Read more and submit comments here.
New Jersey Launches Urban Heat Island Mitigation Grant Program
New Jersey has launched a statewide Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program, providing $5 million to help municipalities, especially overburdened or high-heat communities, implement targeted cooling strategies. Administered through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the program supports a wide range of interventions, including:
- cool pavements
- green or reflective roofs
- shade structures and expanded tree canopy
- community-scale micro-climate projects
- upgrades to public buildings and cooling centers
Funding is offered across three tiers:
- Comprehensive Projects (up to $1M) for large-scale neighborhood cooling strategies
- Built Environment Improvements (up to $500K) for upgrades such as cool roofs or resilient cooling centers
- Micro-Climate Projects (up to $50K) for localized cooling solutions
This grant initiative reflects New Jersey’s growing commitment to reducing extreme heat, improving environmental equity, and investing in sustainable, climate-resilient communities.
Learn more about this program here.
A Sample Grant Proposal for Urban Heat-Island Reduction Projects
For organizations preparing to apply for state or federal funding, resources that demonstrate successful proposal structures are increasingly valuable. A sample grant proposal from Funds for NGOs outlines a detailed approach to urban heat-island mitigation through:
- cool and green roof strategies
- reflective infrastructure
- environmental monitoring
- community engagement components
While the sample focuses on green roofs, its structure and narrative approach offer a helpful framework for building competitive submissions, especially for municipalities or nonprofits exploring multi-solution cooling strategies that may include cool pavements.
View the sample proposal here.
A Growing Ecosystem of Tools for Cooler, Healthier Cities
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a steady expansion of resources available to cities working to address extreme heat. Whether through evolving national sustainability standards, new state funding opportunities, or practical planning templates, stakeholders now have more pathways than ever to integrate cooling strategies into urban environments.
For planners, sustainability teams, and community organizations, staying informed about these developments can help guide strategic decisions, strengthen grant applications, and support the creation of cooler, more resilient urban spaces.
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