This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: UBC researchers and municipal partners have developed a modeling tool to help cities adapt to rising temperatures by mapping where new trees offer the greatest cooling impact. First piloted in Kelowna and now expanding to Vancouver, CanopyFit accounts for urban constraints like underground utilities, overhead wires and infrastructure that often hinder planting.
"Creating and sustaining extensive canopy cover, by protecting mature trees and planting trees that can grow to large sizes, is one of the most effective investments cities can make to reduce exposure to extreme heat," said Dr. Melissa McHale, a professor in UBC's faculty of forestry and environmental stewardship and lead of the Urban Ecology and Sustainability Lab. "The challenge is making space for those trees and helping them thrive where they're needed most." "A site can look empty on a map and still be impossible to plant," said McHale.
"CanopyFit accounts for the hidden barriers that determine where trees can realistically go and how large they can grow." By combining CanopyFit data with heat maps, shade models and demographic data, researchers can pinpoint priority zones. In Kelowna, the team identified neighborhoods like Rutland as high priorities for heat relief and equity, while others, like Midtown, faced significant constraints despite high cooling needs. "Trees are no less important there—overcoming barriers, choosing suitable species and investing in long-term care may just require more resources," said McHale.
The analysis found that about half of Kelowna's new-canopy potential was concentrated in roughly 20% of its highest-opportunity planting sites, suggesting cities can maximize limited budgets by targeting areas where cooling benefits and planting opportunities align. The team also used satellite imagery and machine learning to improve the city's heat map resolution from 30 meters to 10 meters, helping planners pinpoint exact locations for cooling interventions. Researchers found that every 10% increase in tree canopy can reduce mean radiant temperature—the heat people feel from their surroundings—by roughly 1°C.
The work is published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. The UBC–Kelowna partnership began in 2022, developing tools for municipal planning needs. "Our goal is to support the planting and long-term success of more trees across Kelowna, growing a stronger urban canopy for future generations," said Todd Cashin, urban forestry supervisor with Kelowna.
"These partnerships are incredibly valuable because they allow us to accomplish so much more together than we could on our own." Cashin noted that recent wildfires and extreme heat have heightened public awareness of the role of urban forests in climate adaptation. "We've known about heat effects in desert-style communities like ours, but sharing that message is easier now," he said. "After experiencing wildfires and extreme heat events in recent years, more people recognize the important role trees play in creating cooler, healthier and more resilient communities." "Cities move faster than academic publishing," said McHale.
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