The Tempe Engineering and Transportation Department has plans for installing new sidewalk bricks at the Smith Innovation Hub that would contribute to surface cooling. 

Tempe Architect and Urban Planner Bonnie Richardson promoted the use of Aqua Rocks, or water-absorbing bricks, to cool off the sidewalks as part of the Smith Innovation Hub Infrastructure Master Plan at the Sustainability and Economic Vitality Council Committee's Sept. 18 meeting. 

“The bricks we're looking to use on Smith Road allow for water to permeate through the layering of those bricks in a way that really supports deeper tree roots, rather than running off and into the street,” Richardson said. 

This new measure is a part of Tempe’s 20-Minute City initiative. The initiative promises to create a better quality of life for Tempe residents by creating a walkable and bikeable city that has a mix of commercial, recreational, civic and residential establishments within a 1-mile walking distance, 4-mile bicycle ride or a 20-minute transit ride, according to the city. 

Conserving water is vital for survival when living in a desert, Richardson said.  

“A lot of people will say, ‘Well, why do you bother doing that because it doesn't rain here that much?’” she said. “But the rain is really precious, and we want to be smart about collecting it whenever we can.” 

The Aqua Rocks were not the only water conservation measure discussed at the meeting. 

Tina Sleeper, Tempe’s water conservation coordinator, spoke about increasing efficiency and reducing water waste in the city through the removal of non-functional turf.  

“It is basically grass that’s located in areas that are adjacent to hardscape, adjacent to walls, located in areas that are around signs, are too small to water efficiently or located on slopes where that water just runs right off,” Sleeper said. “This effort will not only save water and reduce costs but will also help introduce more habitat and pollinator plants.” 

The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona board approved a grant in August to remove nonfunctional turf from four city parks: Dwight, Harelson, Creamery and Goodwill.  

The Community Services Department will receive more than $100,000 in water conservation grants and rebate funds to transform 27,600 square feet of non-functional turf into desert landscapes. 

Tempe resident Anne Till shared a discovery of her own with the council committee members. She found a way to cool off her home using wood chips.  

Till said she found the idea from a local gardener's site that recommended wood chips over the use of rocks in your yard.  

“It’s free,” she said. “You can go to chipjob.com and get free wood chips. It holds moisture and becomes soil over time. I’ve had people walk by my house, and they love walking by because it's cooler.” 

Richard Atkins, the  city’s urban forester, also discussed the Community Services Department’s community outreach programs on the importance of trees and shrubbery native to the desert landscape.  

One of city council's strategic priorities is to achieve a citywide 25% tree and shade canopy by 2040. This plan aims to ensure that Tempe develops infrastructure to promote the use of sidewalks and public transportation. 

Gabriella Fernbaugh is an Arizona State University journalism student.  We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.