Resilient Cities Catalyst has partnered with the City of Tampa since 2020. Our work in Tampa spans across scales, from shaping the citywide resilience agenda through the Resilient Tampa Roadmap (2021) and Heat Resilience Playbook (2024) to focusing in on the resilience of heavily trafficked commercial corridors in climate-vulnerable neighborhoods. Since 2023, RCC has been advancing implementation of resilience projects in three Tampa neighborhoods: East Tampa, West Tampa, and Sulphur Springs. Our most recent work is a part of our Small Business Climate Resilience Program, which delivers resilience interventions that support small businesses and make commercial corridors more comfortable and climate safe.
The Problem
Tampa faces a wide range of resilience challenges, as outlined in the Resilient Tampa Roadmap. These challenges are becoming ever more apparent: in 2024, Tampa was hit by two hurricanes (Helene and Milton) just 13 days apart and in 2025 the city saw the highest heat index ever recorded at 119°F. Some neighborhoods face significantly higher risks than others, a reality which overlaps with socioeconomic inequality to create pockets of extreme climate vulnerability.
Intended Outcomes
Tampa residents and small businesses are better prepared for climate-related weather events like extreme heat and hurricanes and the City of Tampa has a sustainable model for implementing resilience projects in priority neighborhoods.
Our Work Streams
- Extreme heat education and communications
- Establishing a framework for "Cool and Connected Corridor" implementation with pilots and East Tampa and Sulphur Springs
- Developing a model for tree planting in public spaces
- Launching a program to provide direct technical and preparedness support and resources to small businesses building resilience against extreme weather
- Accelerating the implementation of priority initiatives within the City’s climate resilience plans and institutionalizing future resilience efforts within city government
Impact Numbers
$1.68M
directed to implementation
2
resilience roadmaps, frameworks, or plans
4
resilience projects
Key Findings
An interdepartmental session on the West Tampa alleyways found appetite for policy change alongside physical improvement, with streamlined permitting for alleyway uses emerging as a priority equal to the built work.