"Dubai for the future" Participates in a project to measure the impact of cooling trees in Dubai and international cities
Dubai, 1st November / WAM / The Dubai Future Foundation revealed an innovative project that uses artificial intelligence techniques to measure the cooling effect of trees in Dubai and cities around the world. It was developed in the “Sensible City Lab” in Dubai, and is supervised by the Dubai Future Labs. It was launched in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2023 to be the first “Sensible City” lab in the Middle East.
The innovative project (Re-Leaf) was presented within the activities of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, “Biennale 2025”, hosted by Venice, Italy.
The project employs computer vision techniques, artificial intelligence-based analysis of satellite images and thermal imaging of more than 2,000 trees, to create the first comparative dataset of urban vegetation in Dubai, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and Rome.
This display includes skyscraper-like structures that represent the levels and percentage of greenery in these cities, in a striking visual representation that highlights the crucial role of trees and urban forests in confronting rising global temperatures.
The importance of the project lies in providing a scalable, data-based platform to enable cities to harness natural cooling systems in light of the worsening effects of climate change and the increasing severity of heat waves. Studies have shown that trees can be up to 15 degrees Celsius cooler than surrounding surfaces, with drought-resistant native trees significantly superior.
This idea is especially important in dry areas such as the UAE. High temperatures and water scarcity impose an urgent need to develop more efficient climate solutions.
Khalifa Al Qama, Director of Dubai Future Laboratories, affiliated with the Dubai Future Foundation, said that participation in this important future project stems from the Foundation’s belief in the importance of participatory scientific research and the use of advanced technologies and strategic partnerships to develop new solutions that support cities’ resilience and readiness to face future challenges.
He added that the project confirms that green spaces are among the most important pillars of the basic infrastructure of future cities, and that the Foundation aims through it to serve the entire world by providing global solutions for sustainable urban living to serve communities and ensure the quality of life of its members in light of the great changes that the world is witnessing at all levels.
In turn, Carlo Ratti, Director of the Sensible City Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that the world is witnessing a continuous and noticeable rise in temperatures, which has made it necessary to view trees as a main pillar of infrastructure and not just an aesthetic element. He pointed out that the development of artificial intelligence applications has enhanced the ability to measure the impact of the role of trees and vegetation in terms of cooling the climate with high accuracy, stressing that trees are a natural and effective solution to confront global warming.
It is worth noting that the “Sensible City Lab”, which was launched by the Dubai Future Foundation in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), works to develop and employ the latest advanced technologies to enhance the quality of life in the city of Dubai, test implementable ideas in the era of the digital revolution, diagnose the most important current and future challenges, employ technologies and data that are considered the backbone of communication for the digital city, and use data to achieve the ambitious goals of the city of Dubai, in line with its future strategies.
The laboratory also works to conduct interdisciplinary research, test pilot projects, and develop knowledge, methods, and tools to increase understanding of the natural and built environment, and to devise appropriate solutions to city challenges.
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