CITYgreen in Dade County, Florida


Testing the Effectiveness of a Local Ordinance
The energy conserving benefits of trees in the Miami area were made dramatically apparent in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. An Urban Ecosystem Analysis showed that the hurricane, combined with years of increasing urban sprawl, left the community with only a 10% tree canopy.

CITYgreen modeling showed that the addition of one shade-providing, mature tree per single family residence would provide $14.4 million in energy savings to residents. It would also reduce stormwater runoff by 15% and provide carbon sequestration benefits of $4.8 million.

As a result of the study, a new Dade County Landscape Ordinance was passed, requiring all new development to strategically plant trees to provide maximum energy conservation.

Inspiring Citizen Action
Residents of the Richmond Heights neighborhood in Dade County used CITYgreen models to get more trees planted throughout their unshaded neighborhood. Volunteers went door to door with aerial images and modeling results generated by CITYgreen to make their case. As a result of their efforts, in just three weeks, two hundred trees were planted at 85 homes.

 

Dade County, Florida.