Bluesky Tree Map Helps Carlisle Make the Most of Green Spaces

Coalville, Leicestershire, UK - 14 February 2012 –  A digital tree map layer, created by Bluesky, is helping Carlisle City Council maximise the benefits of urban green spaces. Following the publication earlier this year of ‘The Natural Choice’ a Government White Paper on the natural environment Carlisle City Council is using the Bluesky ProximiTREE data to map existing trees, highlight areas where additional planting may be required, identify possible risks posed by trees and inform their inspection regime.

‘The Natural Choice’ builds on previous findings that highlight the economic benefits of urban green spaces. These include an estimated benefit of £300 per person, per year attributed to living within a view of green space and nationally urban green spaces are said to be worth £2.3 billion per year. Maintaining the UK’s green spaces is predicted to deliver £30 billion in health and welfare benefits however failing to maintain this valuable resource would cost £20 billion each year.

The Bluesky ProximiTREE data has so far been used by Carlisle City Council to inform a new ‘green strategy’ to secure and maximise the benefits from parks and green spaces in the city. ProximiTREE is derived from the most accurate and up to date aerial photography. Using overlapping images the exact location of every tree can be mapped and the height and extent of its canopy derived.

ProximiTREE is suitable for use in most desktop Geographical Information Systems (GIS), web mapping applications and Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages. Both 2D and 3D versions of the map are available and ProximiTREE works alongside existing Bluesky datasets such as 3D buildings, terrain models and aerial imagery.

ABOUT ProximiTREE

ProximiTREE is a digital map layer accurately depicting the location and extent of trees and their proximity to buildings. Designed as a tool to aid Local Authority officers, insurance assessors and property developers, ProximiTREE details the exact spatial location and height of individual trees, together with the circumference of its canopy. From this information the potential impact can be assessed. The database is capable of holding a wealth of information, including species, health and TPOs. Each tree has a unique identification number.

ProximiTREE is an accurate map representation and database of tree heights and their canopy widths derived from aerial photography. Bluesky's team of editors, trained in accurate photo-interpretation, examines aerial photos to identify the height of all crown and canopies visible within each photo. Once the highest point of each tree's crown has been measured, actual tree heights are determined using an existing Digital Terrain Model (digital representation of ground surface topography or terrain).
ProximiTREE is delivered in formats suitable for use in desktop Geographical Information Systems (GIS), web mapping applications and Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages. The fact that ProximiTREE comprises of both 2D location and 3D height measurements means it can be viewed and interrogated in both 2D and 3D GIS CAD software. It should be noted that ProximiTREE is simply a database and thus can also be provided in all common database, text or spreadsheet formats.

About Bluesky
Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing.  An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies.

Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.

Bluesky is now leading the way developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first nationwide map of solar potential, citywide ‘heat loss’ maps, 3D maps of trees and their proximity to buildings and historical imagery.