Municipalities, as the governing entities of urban regions, have a responsibility for ensuring the well-being of their residents. They have accountability for subjects such as urban planning, infrastructure management, public health, and environmental preservation. Municipalities are increasingly depending on modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to efficiently carry out their responsibilities. This article explores the use of GIS by municipalities, with a specific focus on mapping urban forests.
GIS: An Effective Tool for Local Governments
GIS is a crucial tool for municipalities because it enables them to combine, analyze, and visualize many types of spatial data. The data may consist of demographic statistics, infrastructure specifics, environmental conditions, and other related facts. Municipalities can use spatial analysis to make well-informed decisions regarding resource distribution, infrastructure growth, and environmental conservation. GIS also allows for effective planning of routes and schedules for service vehicles, enhancing garbage collection, public transportation, and emergency response times. Municipalities can employ GIS technology to develop interactive maps and dashboards, promoting transparency and encouraging public involvement in decision-making processes.
Urban Forest Mapping: A GIS Application
Urban forests are comprised of trees and other plants found in urban settings. They are essential in urban ecosystems as they offer habitat for animals, enhance air and water quality, and alleviate the impacts of climate change. Urban forest mapping involves creating a visual depiction of the location, species, and multiple characteristics of trees in the context of a city. This mapping can be performed in a variety of ways, such as:
- Conventional field surveys consist of systematic data collected on the ground through precise measurements and observations.
- Remote sensing surveys involve the use of satellite imaging, drone photography, and LiDAR technology to efficiently gather large-scale data.
- Public participation entails involving citizens in data collection using mobile applications via online platforms.
Mapping urban trees aids in developing a thorough inventory, which simplifies their administration and upkeep. Maps facilitate efficient planning for planting new trees, monitoring their well-being, and evaluating changes over time. Further, utilizing data from maps aids in making informed decisions on urban forestry programs, resource distribution, and tree preservation techniques.
Conclusion
GIS enables municipalities to tackle diverse difficulties and improve decision-making in crucial areas, such as urban forest management. Municipalities may develop more sustainable and resilient urban settings for their residents by combining geographical data and innovative technologies. Ongoing developments in GIS, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, are expected to improve municipalities’ ability to manage and safeguard their crucial ecological resources.
References
Battisti, L., Giacco, G., Moraca, M., Pettenati, G., Dansero, E., & Larcher, F. (2024). Spatializing Urban Forests as Nature-based Solutions: A methodological proposal. Cities, 144, 104629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104629
Abdalla, L., Augusto, D. A., Chame, M., Dufek, A. S., Oliveira, L., & Krempser, E. (2022). Statistically enriched geospatial datasets of Brazilian municipalities for data-driven modeling. Scientific Data, 9(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01581-2
Jalkanen, J., Vierikko, K., & Moilanen, A. (2020). Spatial prioritization for urban Biodiversity Quality using biotope maps and expert opinion. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 49, 126586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126586
