Urban incentives are resources, policies tools, programs designed to encourage specific behaviors or development patterns within cities. These incentives can take various forms, including tax breaks, grants, subsidies, or other financial or regulatory advantages, aimed at achieving goals like attracting investment, promoting sustainable practices, or improving housing affordability.  Clean energy refers to energy sources that produce minimal to no greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants when generating electricity. It includes renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass, as well as nuclear power. The goal of clean energy is to power our society with reduced environmental impact and lower costs. They can take various forms, including financial incentives like tax breaks, subsidies, or grants, as well as non-financial incentives like zoning variances or increased density allowances. These incentives aim to address urban challenges by encouraging investment, job creation, housing development, or sustainable practices.

MHRF Urban incentives Plan Encompasses ten aspects of Improving economic resilience in underserved communities:

1. Improving Public Health in Under-served Areas:
Clean energy and planting Trees improve air quality by absorbing pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Low-income and marginalized communities often suffer from higher levels of air pollution due to their proximity to industrial areas or highways. Planting trees in these areas helps reduce pollution, leading to better respiratory health outcomes, which can close the health gap between wealthy and underserved communities.

2. Reducing Urban Heat Islands:
Many urban areas, especially low-income neighborhoods, experience the urban heat island effect, where temperatures are significantly higher due to a lack of green spaces and an abundance of concrete and asphalt. This disproportionately impacts poor communities, as they may lack access to air conditioning or well-insulated housing. Planting trees provides shade and reduces surface and air temperatures, mitigating the effects of heat waves, which can lead to fewer heat-related illnesses and deaths.

3. Enhancing Mental and Emotional Well-Being:
Access to green spaces has been linked to improved mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, disadvantaged communities often lack parks and recreational areas. By planting trees and creating more green spaces in these areas, communities can benefit from the mental and emotional health improvements that come with access to nature. This helps promote equality by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, can experience the psychological benefits of nature.

4. Providing Economic Opportunities:
Tree-planting initiatives can create jobs and skills training for people in disadvantaged communities. Urban forestry programs, environmental conservation projects, and landscaping efforts often provide employment opportunities for individuals who may otherwise struggle to find work. This not only helps improve economic equality by offering jobs but also empowers communities to take control of their local environment.

5. Improving Property Values and Livability:
Trees and green spaces improve the aesthetic value of neighborhoods, which can increase property values. In many low-income communities, a lack of green spaces and infrastructure contributes to a sense of neglect and decline. By planting trees and creating greener environments, these areas can become more livable and attractive, potentially reversing cycles of disinvestment and economic inequality. It can also reduce the stigma associated with impoverished areas and create a sense of pride and ownership within communities.

6. Reducing Energy Costs:
Trees provide natural cooling by offering shade and reducing the need for air conditioning in hot weather. In low-income communities where energy costs can be a significant burden, this can lead to substantial savings on utility bills. For example, strategically planting trees around homes and buildings can reduce energy consumption, making it more affordable for families to maintain comfortable living conditions, which contributes to financial equity.

7. Mitigating Climate Change Impacts:
Climate change disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized communities, which are often the least equipped to handle environmental disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather. Trees play a vital role in sequestering carbon and mitigating climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases. In addition, trees help prevent soil erosion, manage storm-water, and protect communities from natural disasters. Planting trees can enhance climate resilience in vulnerable areas, helping to protect at-risk populations from the worst impacts of climate change.

8. Promoting Environmental Justice:
Tree planting in underserved communities promotes environmental justice by addressing the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and harms. Historically, wealthier neighborhoods have enjoyed better access to green spaces, clean air, and a healthier environment, while low-income and minority communities often face higher exposure to pollution and environmental degradation. Planting trees in these marginalized areas helps correct these historical injustices by making the environment more equitable and improving quality of life for all residents.

9. Fostering Social Cohesion and Community Engagement:
Tree planting initiatives can bring people together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. By involving local residents in tree-planting projects, particularly in low-income or marginalized communities, people can develop stronger social bonds, participate in decision-making about their environment, and take pride in improving their neighborhood. This social cohesion helps reduce social inequalities by empowering communities to create positive change from within.

10. Supporting Food Security:
In some cases, tree-planting initiatives can support food security through urban agriculture or community orchards. Planting fruit-bearing trees in low-income areas can provide fresh, healthy food to communities that may otherwise have limited access to affordable produce (i.e., food deserts). This can help address nutritional inequality by improving access to fresh fruits, reducing dependence on expensive, unhealthy food options, and promoting better overall health.