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Heat-reducing ‘eco-mural’ unveiled in South Los Angeles to spark climate change conversations

V. Kelly Turner (assistant professor of urban planning at the UCLA Luskin School), in collaboration with artists, urban planners, climate scholars, community activists and entrepreneurs, unveiled a large blue “eco-mural” in South L.A. The mural was created with a solar reflective coating that reduces surface temperatures up to 30 percent. The work of art is the first cool pavement project of its kind in the City of Los Angeles and aims to raise awareness about the effects of climate change.

Artist Eric Skotnes uses surface-cooling paint to create a South L.A. “eco-mural” aimed at starting a conversation about climate change.
Artist Eric Skotnes uses surface-cooling paint to create a South L.A. “eco-mural” aimed at starting a conversation about climate change. (Photo Credit: Mary Braswell/UCLA)


Turner conducts research on the effectiveness of cool pavement strategies to combat what is known as the “urban heat island effect” which occurs when buildings, roads, pavements and other structures trap heat from the sun and raise surface temperatures. This phenomenon effects metropolitan areas including the City of Los Angeles.

 Read more at UCLA Newsroom.