Tree Equity Coalition
Enhancing Urban Forestry
Enhancing urban forestry and tree equity in Allentwon’s most disinvested neighborhoods.
A collaborative effort between the Lehigh University Small Cities Lab, Lehigh Conference of Churches (LCC), Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley (PNLV), Omnes Landscape Architecture Studio, and the City of Allentown, to address urban forestry and tree equity in the city’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The primary target population resides in the 5th, 9th, and 10th Wards west of Jordan Creek. This project will also support the City of Allentown’s investments in serving residents in the 1st and 6th Wards east of Jordan Creek.
These neighborhoods face severe environmental, health, and socioeconomic challenges, including the fewest mature trees, intense heat island effects, high poverty, and some of the lowest life expectancy rates regionally and nationally. Additionally, they are designated as a Park Priority Area by the Trust for Public Land, meaning many residents live more than a 10-minute walk from a park, limiting access to green spaces and recreational opportunities. These neighborhoods also experience some of the highest asthma rates in the country, with Allentown recognized as the asthma capital of the nation by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Environmental pollution and limited healthcare access contribute to these chronic respiratory conditions that disproportionately affect children and families.
Through collaboration with LCC-affiliated congregations and various partners, we aim to address these challenges by expanding tree canopy coverage to mitigate urban heat and improve overall community health. Beyond serving the 30,000 residents in this area, we aim to create a scalable model for urban forestry and environmental equity that can be adopted by underserved communities nationwide. Through coalition building, community education, and environmental stewardship, we seek to ensure long-term sustainability, empowering residents to build a healthier, more resilient future.