utree : Revolutionizing Urban Tree Monitoring for a Sustainable Future

About the project

By 2050, 89% of the U.S. population and 68% of the global population will live in cities. As urbanization accelerates, environmental challenges like heat, poor air quality, and stormwater runoff intensify. Urban trees are essential to mitigating these effects, yet current management methods are fragmented and inefficient. The need for comprehensive, real-time tree inventories has never been greater.

uTREE, a cutting-edge, cloud-based cyberinfrastructure is designed to fill data gaps in urban forestry. Through advanced AI and big data integration, uTREE will revolutionize how cities manage their street trees, providing precise tree locations, species identification, and real-time monitoring on a national (and potentially global) scale.

A Leap Forward in Urban Tree Monitoring

At the heart of uTREE is an AI-powered infrastructure, capable of mapping urban trees with unmatched accuracy. This multi-disciplinary project draws expertise from computer science, AI, urban ecology, civil engineering, and forestry to overcome challenges of data completeness, accuracy, and accessibility.

What Makes utree Different?

• AI-Powered Mapping: uTREE uses generative AI to locate trees and identify species with precision, transforming static inventories into dynamic resources.
• Cloud-Based Platform: Integrates remote sensing, HPC simulations, and interactive dashboards for a scalable, intuitive solution for urban planners, researchers, and stakeholders.
• Big Data for Urban Ecosystems: A robust data architecture enables seamless integration with research tools, driving innovation in urban forestry management.

Driving Equity and Sustainability

uTREE empowers cities and communities to build sustainable, equitable environments by providing accurate tree data. It supports:

• Data-Driven Urban Planning: Helping cities make informed decisions on greening and sustainability.
• AI for Social Good: Ensuring all communities benefit from better tree management and resilience.
• Educational Resources: Offering open-source tools and programs.

utree's Solution

• Cloud-based cyberinfrastructure for national urban tree inventory.
• Computer science, artificial intelligence, urban ecology, civil engineering, natural resources, and digital forestry integrated to address significant gaps of data completeness, accuracy, equity, and tool availability.
• Diverse urban applications across engineering, social and economic analyses, policy, and meteorology.

Shaping the Future of Cities

uTREE will impact over hundreds of researchers and thousands of urban practitioners, providing the tools needed to monitor and manage urban forests at a national scale. With uTREE’s innovative platform, cities can tackle environmental challenges head-on, creating greener and more livable urban spaces.

Join Us in Building Greener, Smarter Cities

At uTREE, we’re shaping the future of urban sustainability by transforming tree management. Get involved and help create resilient, green cities for generations to come.