Acquire underused land in the city core, e.g., a large contiguous group of dirt or surface parking lots south of downtown. On the land, create a special district as a laboratory for innovative architecture and urban design appropriate for a desert city. Design in the district would follow and create best practices for a desert climate: narrow, walkable streets; abundant shade; non-asphalt streets; solar power; etc.

This area could also be a testing ground for new products and technologies (for example, 'cool pavement' coating for streets). If they are successful, they could be put to use in the broader community.