A new tool could help the city reach its goal of planting up to 250,000 new trees by 2035.

Writing in Yahoo News, Willy Appelman describes how New York City is using data collection and advanced technology to monitor its tree canopy and assess when and where new trees should be planted to supplement the city’s urban forest.
A project called Tree Folio NYC uses lidar data to “measure the size and volume of individual canopies, making it easier to see where healthy trees are located and where existing canopies are lacking,” according to Cornell University researcher Alexander Kobald.
The tool could help the city keep a closer eye on its trees, which have a lifespan almost ten times as short as a similar tree in a rural environment due to exposure to pollutants like dog urine and salt from street treatments.
Appelman notes that “New York City recently passed measures aiming for 30% tree canopy cover by 2035, intending to plant up to 250,000 new trees.”
FULL STORY: Researchers advocate for new tech to revolutionize NYC infrastructure, and it’s likely not what you think

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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