Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Announce Funding for Tree Canopy Research to Combat Extreme Heat

Cornell Tech and New Yorkers for Parks will use new funds to employ advanced mapping and modeling tools to enhance NYC’s tree canopy and empower local communities to fight extreme heat 

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members announced new funding for Cornell Tech Urban Tech Hub in the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute and New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) to launch The Generative Canopy Project.

As extreme heat continues to grow as a major climate hazard, the Generative Canopy Project will use advanced artificial intelligence (AI), aerial imagery, existing tree census data, and climate forecasting to help communities create neighborhood-specific planting strategies to reduce heat risk and safeguard public health.

Last month, temperatures in the city rose above 100 degrees — the highest the city has seen in more than a decade. As temperatures rise, the number of heat-related 911 calls and emergency room visits dramatically increases. Over the course of the most recent four-day heat wave, during which the city issued heat warnings and activated emergency protocols, three New Yorkers died from heat-related illnesses.

“Extreme temperatures endanger New Yorkers’ health and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “As temperatures continue to rise, it’s vital that we find creative solutions to tackle the climate crisis and protect New Yorkers from heat-related illnesses. The City Council is proud to fund this innovative, cutting-edge research project. We’re grateful to Cornell Tech and New Yorkers for Parks for not only addressing this pervasive public health challenge but also placing these tools directly in the hands of local communities.”

By employing AI and 3D laser-scanning technology, Cornell Tech researchers will evaluate the cooling power of individual street trees across all five boroughs, providing block-by-block data on where to plant new trees to maximize their cooling potential and create the most positive impact on public health.

The Council’s $250,000 investment will support technical development of the project along with community engagement efforts. This includes public tracking tools, an online dashboard, and community workshops run in partnership with NY4P. The project will be directly informed by local community members, with neighborhood residents having a direct hand in designing local planting strategies.

The project will initially focus on three regions across the five boroughs that face significant canopy deficits and elevated heat vulnerability, including:

•   Hunts Point & Longwood: Bronx Community District
•   East New York: Brooklyn Community District
•   Corona & Elmhurst: Queens Community District

The goal is for this project to ultimately serve as a national model for improving public health outcomes and facilitating environmental justice through urban canopies.