Cambridge, MA Expands Urban Tree Canopy to Combat Heat
The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is leveraging advanced technology to address the growing challenge of urban heat exacerbated by climate change. Using lidar technology, the city has been able to map and analyze its tree canopy, which plays a critical role in mitigating extreme heat. Since the first lidar flyover in 2014, Cambridge has increased its tree canopy coverage by 5%, with 30% of the city now shaded by trees. This data-driven approach has informed policy changes, such as amending the tree protection ordinance to include trees on private property, which were identified as a significant source of canopy loss. The city is now aiming to increase neighborhood canopy coverage from 30% to 35%, as outlined in its Urban Forest Master Plan. Officials emphasize the importance of starting with robust data to create effective climate resilience strategies. 
