Built Shade: A Critical Tool in Heat Resilience

When it comes to beating the heat, trees are a great solution, but they aren’t the only solution — and in places like East Tampa, built shade is playing a vital role in protecting communities.

As highlighted by Kayla Caselli with the City of Tampa and featured in the Tampa Heat Resilience Playbook, built shade structures — from awnings and tarps to fortified metal

 coverings — offer flexible, cost-effective options that can also withstand severe weather. Some local schools are already using large tarp awnings to keep students cool without the high cost of permanent construction.

Pairing shade with temperature modifiers like misting fans (ice-cooled!), hydration stations, and even community gardens helps create safe, comfortable outdoor spaces and lowers the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness.

And here’s the bonus: built shade can double as public art,

 transforming functional infrastructure into community assets.

As climate challenges grow, we need every tool available — and built shade is one more way communities are getting smart about resilience.