Key Takeaways

• A new Urban Land Institute program will assist seven California and Nevada public agencies in addressing climate resilience.
• The initiative fosters public-private partnerships and innovation to combat regional climate challenges.
• Findings from ULI’s support will help other communities enhance their resilience strategies after completion in early 2026.

Program Details

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has launched a new initiative called the California-Nevada Technical Assistance Leadership Exchange. This program will focus on connecting seven public agency leaders from areas in California and Nevada that face increasing natural disasters. The primary goal is to leverage ULI’s climate and environmental resources to build networks and develop public-private partnerships for innovative approaches to preparing for future crises.

Participating agencies include four cities in California: Long Beach, Needles, San Diego, and San José, along with the city and county of Sacramento and Nevada State University. Each will host a ULI technical assistance panel, which will specifically address resilience challenges pertinent to their respective regions.

During this process, ULI members will visit the communities, engage with local stakeholders, and provide expert insights and solutions for enhancing resilience. The panels are expected to conclude by early 2026, at which point ULI will publish a summary of recommendations designed to assist other communities in building their resilience.

In Sacramento, for example, urban design manager Bruce Monighan noted the city’s focus on mitigating the urban heat island effect associated with new developments. Sacramento aims to enhance its tree coverage from 9% to 30% as part of its strategy to combat increasing heat hazards. Monighan stated that ULI’s role is to bring in experts to assess local conditions and discuss best practices from around the country, stating, “No matter how good you think you are, someone else can help you be better.”

Specific projects under the exchange include:
– Improving housing and sustainability in Long Beach’s Alamitos Beach neighborhood.
– Developing a plan for the expanding campus of Nevada State University.
– Identifying sustainable growth opportunities in Needles.
– Offering recommendations for “missing middle” housing that incorporates heat-resilient designs and sustainable materials in San Diego.
– Providing best practices and funding strategies for implementing a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan in San José.

This initiative is made possible through a generous $10 million donation from Randall Lewis, the governor of the ULI Foundation. The program aims not only to enhance current practices but also to equip regional leaders with the necessary tools to face future climate challenges more effectively.

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