Greening Chicago: Our Journey to Understand Tree Canopy Coverage

  

Collaborative Project Acknowledgment

This project was a collaborative effort between Patricia Favila (me) and Heron Lenz. We combined our skills, insights, and dedication to explore tree canopy coverage in Chicago. All findings, visuals, and insights in this post reflect our teamwork and shared commitment to understanding how trees impact urban life. We hope this work inspires action toward a greener and more equitable Chicago.

Introduction

When my partner and I started this project, we knew Chicago was a city of contrasts — vibrant neighborhoods, rich history, and yet, stark environmental inequalities. We wanted to explore how tree canopy coverage could shape the health, resilience, and quality of life in different neighborhoods.

Our research aimed to answer one question:
What are the current patterns in tree canopy distribution, and how can we optimize it to create a more sustainable and equitable Chicago?

Together, we dove into the data, maps, and stories hidden in Chicago’s urban landscape. Here’s what we found.

The Process: How We Tackled This Project

We collected data from:

• The City of Chicago Data Portal
• CMAP datasets
• Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative

We used R Studio to create maps and charts, highlighting connections between tree canopy coverage, flood risk, air quality, and economic hardship. Constant communication through shared documents, calls, and code reviews kept us on track and aligned.

What We Discovered

1. Tree Canopy and Income Inequality

Tree cover isn’t just about greenery; it’s about quality of life. We noticed that wealthier neighborhoods often had more trees, while lower-income areas had fewer.

Visual: 

• In lower-income neighborhoods, around 1/3 of households earn less than $50,000 per year. These areas experience hotter summers and worse air quality due to a lack of trees.
• In higher-income neighborhoods, nearly 25% of households earn over $150,000 a year, enjoying cooler temperatures and cleaner air thanks to abundant tree cover.

We saw firsthand how a lack of investment in tree planting exacerbates these inequalities.

2. Land Use in Cook County

We analyzed how land is used across Cook County to see where we could expand tree coverage.

Visual: 

Key findings: 

• Single-Family Residential areas dominate at 29.5%.
• Vacant land (3.8%) represents potential opportunities for new trees.
• Infrastructure like roads and transportation takes up 25.8% of land, limiting space for greenery.

3. Tree Canopy Coverage Map

We visualized tree canopy distribution in Chicago.

Visual: 

Dark green areas show neighborhoods with up to 40% tree cover, while lighter areas reveal where trees are scarce. This map highlights the urgent need for equitable tree planting in underserved communities.

4. Flood Risk and Tree Planting Opportunities

Flooding is a recurring problem in parts of Chicago. We mapped flood risks to see where trees could help the most.

Visual: 

We found that neighborhoods in the south and southwest face higher flood risks due to poor drainage and a lack of green spaces. Planting trees here can help manage storm water and reduce flood damage.

5. Air Quality and Economic Hardship

Poor air quality often overlaps with economic hardship. We mapped both to identify where trees could make the biggest difference.

Visual: 

Key Findings

• Northern neighborhoods generally have better air quality and more trees.
• Southern and western neighborhoods face higher pollution and economic challenges, making them ideal targets for tree planting.

5. Household Income 

In Cook County, the distribution of tree cover across neighborhoods often correlates with household income levels. Trees are essential for maintaining cooler temperatures, improving air quality, and promoting overall health. However, lower-income neighborhoods tend to have fewer trees, leading to hotter summers, poorer air quality, and increased energy costs for residents.

Visual: 

Key Findings: 

Income Distribution:

• About one-third of households in Cook County earn less than $50,000 per year.
• Nearly a quarter of households earn over $150,000 per year.
• The remaining households fall into middle-income brackets ($50,000-$99,999).

Tree Cover and Income:

• Lower-Income Neighborhoods: These areas tend to have fewer trees, making them hotter and contributing to worse air quality and higher energy bills in the summer.
• Higher-Income Neighborhoods: These areas generally benefit from more tree cover, which helps to cool temperatures and improve air quality.
• Middle-Income Neighborhoods: Tree coverage in these areas varies, with some neighborhoods enjoying the benefits of tree cover and others not.

Conclusion: What This Means for Chicago

This project showed us that trees are more than just nature — they’re tools for equity, health, and resilience. By planting more trees in neighborhoods facing economic hardship, poor air quality, and flood risks, we can help create a greener, healthier, and fairer Chicago.

Our Key Takeaways:

1. Wealthier neighborhoods have more trees and better environmental conditions.
2. Targeted tree planting can reduce heat, improve air quality, and manage flood risks.
3. Vacant land and plantable areas offer real opportunities to expand Chicago’s tree canopy.

This journey taught us that through data, maps, and teamwork, we can uncover solutions that benefit everyone. It’s our hope that these insights inspire action and investment in the communities that need it most.

Image Credits

All visuals were created collaboratively by Patricia Favila (me) and Heron Lenz using data from the following sources:

• City of Chicago Data Portal
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
• Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative

Resources

• City of Chicago Data Portal
• Morton Arboretum's Chicago Region Trees Initiative
• CMAP Community Data Snapshots

Date when completed: November 19th, 2024; Semester: Fall 2024

Colleague contact:

Heron Lenz

hlenz@uccs.edu