Skimming: encuentra la idea principal sin leer cada palabra

For many years, urban planners treated city trees mainly as decoration. Recent research has changed that view. Trees can lower surface temperatures by providing shade and by releasing moisture through transpiration. In dense neighborhoods, this cooling effect can reduce the need for air conditioning during hot months. However, the benefits are not distributed equally. Wealthier districts often have wider streets, private gardens and long-established parks, while lower-income areas may have fewer trees and more exposed concrete. Some cities now use satellite imagery to identify neighborhoods with the highest heat risk and the lowest tree coverage. Planting trees is not a quick fix. Young trees need years of care before they provide significant shade, and the wrong species can damage sidewalks or require too much water. Successful urban forestry programs usually combine tree planting with maintenance budgets, community participation and careful species selection.