Project Vruksh

Tree Canopy Cover as a Shield Against Urban Heat Islands

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Project Vruksh addresses the escalating challenge of rising urban temperatures, a consequence of anthropogenic activities contributing to climate change. Focusing on the diminishing tree canopy as a central protagonist, the project underscores trees' critical role in climate regulation and environmental preservation. In response to the situation's urgency, the project pivots towards a tangible solution—tree planting—to counteract the ominous trajectory of global warming.

To visually demonstrate the transformation of urban areas, the project employs two distinct methods: tree cover identification and heat island mapping. Leveraging GDAL Python programming, NAIP, and LIDAR datasets, the analysis reveals a significant 6 percent shift in tree cover within Charlotte's business district from 2018 to 2022. Concurrently, heat island identification, guided by NASA ARCET tutorial and implemented in Google Earth Engine, unveils a striking average temperature change of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit during the same period. The juxtaposition of these results paints a compelling narrative, highlighting the crucial link between tree cover and heat island mitigation. The findings emphasize the symbiotic relationship between urban tree cover and the regulation of local climate conditions, advocating for strategic urban planning and green infrastructure development as essential components in fostering resilient and livable urban environments.