Watts Rising

Watts Rising is a collaborative investment program aimed at achieving major environmental, health, and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities through cap-and-trade funding. Led by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and working for Deborah Murphy Urban Design + Planning, Lyric and the grant writing team helped earn $33M from the Strategic Growth Council to implement several comprehensive projects including:

  • Watts Cool Schools aimed at reducing local heat island by converting asphalt playgrounds into pervious surfaces and light-colored high albedo surfaces, and adding shade trees

  • Mudtown Farms urban agriculture development to address food insecurity and build appreciation for healthy living while preventing food waste

  • Community Healing Gardens at Markham Middle School to educate students about the value of land in providing food, nutrition, art, and connection

  • Greening the Metro Blue Line by adding street trees, bikeways and electric vehicle charging stations in the right-of-way

  • Urban Greening along the Compton Creek pedestrian path

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Client/Project Team Members
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
Deborah Murphy Urban Design + Planning
Lyric Design and Planning
Mehmet Berker Cartography

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Project Impacts

  • 216 new affordable rental units

  • 300 new solar roofs

  • 150 new energy efficient homes

  • 118,000 SF new commercial space

  • 4+ acres urban agriculture land added

  • 300 tons food waste diverted

  • 5 miles of new bike lanes

  • 1 mile of new urban trails

  • 30+ blocks of pedestrian improvements

  • 142% increase in tree canopy

  • 70,000 metric tons of carbon emissions reduced

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