Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design Competition Winner | ATLAS Lab

Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design competition | ATLAS Lab
The urban forest is an important part of every thriving city. Tree canopies provide critical services for the city, including reducing heat island effects though the provision of shade and the creation of microclimates.
Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design competition | ATLAS Lab
With a large enough canopy, a robust tree population will reduce air pollution through bioaccumulation and the production of oxygen from carbon dioxide gas. However, the urban forest should be manifested in a different manner than the wild organization of a rural forest. While establishing a productive habitat for thousands of bird and insect species, the urban forest must be integrated with the daily functions of urban life. In terms of organization, the planting strategy should conform to the urban grid, provide year-round shade to south facing facades and allow for a varied, vibrant and continuous public realm.

Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design competition | ATLAS Lab
Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design competition | ATLAS Lab

THE URBAN CANOPY IS DECREASING

Due to a complicated lack of investment and will, the decreased canopy has yielded an increase in urban heat islands and air pollution.

THE TREE CANOPY IS AGING
Planted nearly a century ago, many of the most majestic trees in Sacramento are nearing the end of their life cycle, further reducing the amount of shade and usable public space.

TREE COVER MUST INCREASE
A rejuvenated canopy will reduce air pollution and urban heat island levels while establishing an enhanced pedestrian realm that is a usable and productive civic core.

PEOPLE WILL USE THE CAPITOL CANOPY
With a healthy urban forest ecosystem, supplanted with vibrant social and civic uses, the Capitol Mall will act as a catalyst for a phased re-investment in the cit

Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design competition | ATLAS Lab

Capitol Canopy | Sacramento Capitol Mall Design competition | ATLAS Lab

IMAGE CREDIT | ATLAS Lab

About Damian Holmes 3252 Articles
Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA). He is a registered landscape architect (AILA) working in international design practice in Australia. Damian founded WLA in 2007 to provide a website for landscape architects written by landscape architects. Connect on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianholmes/

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