How to fix an urban heat island effect: plant street trees, it is that simple, that can improve the urban heat island effect, if you want downtowns to be livable, just plant trees, they naturally cool areas and provide shade, plus they're pretty. There is no reason not to plant street trees other than the budget and if thats an issue just cut the police budgets by a few million
Yes, I know that the issue is more complicated than that, but it is such a simple solution and cities just fucking, don't do it
Actually, in some cities you can get a tree for free planted on your street, check your local city tree planting agency or city government, for example in Philadelphia the city government will plant street trees for you
Get a street tree | Services Get a free tree planted on the street in front of your home, business, or other property. City of Philadelphia