FinEst Centre for Smart Cities

A city tree’s true condition may not be visible from its canopy. Sensors and artificial intelligence could help detect when trees need water and when intervention is needed to improve growing conditions. Photo: Trialoog/ChatGPT
Science
11.06.2026
Could a tree ask for a glass of water?
A young city tree can die long before anyone notices. Above ground, it may still look alive; below the pavement, its roots may already be struggling with dry soil, compacted ground or poor growing conditions. TalTech professor Muhammad Mahtab Alam wants to make that hidden stress visible with a sensor- and AI-based system that helps cities know when trees need water – and how to keep urban greenery alive in a changing climate.
Unlike conventional early warning systems that rely primarily on official announcements, the system that made it to the final six in the smart city competition collects real-time data from various sources, including sensors and citizen reports. It provides first responders and decision-makers with a comprehensive overview of how the crisis is unfolding and helps significantly reduce response time. Photo: Chris Gallagher/Unsplash
Society
19.03.2025
Building resilience against natural hazards: a smart solution for cities
With climate change intensifying natural hazards like floods and snowstorms, cities worldwide must enhance resilience. A research team from TalTech and PUCRS, in collaboration with partner cities and commercial stakeholders, is developing a Natural Hazard Resilience Toolkit to improve crisis management through better communication and data integration.
Beneath cities lies a complex infrastructure that includes water supply systems, electrical grids, sewage networks, gas pipelines, and even historical and geological layers. Additionally, there are tree root systems, which are crucial for maintaining urban greenery. However, in practice, current urban planning often fails to consider the importance of these roots—and even mycorrhiza—resulting in declining tree vitality and, ultimately, the removal of trees. Photo: Pexels
Society
27.02.2025
Back to the roots: TreeCity saves urban trees
Imagine a city where the invisible world hidden beneath streets and buildings is mapped and integrated with innovative urban planning. TreeCity, one of the finalists of FinEst Centre for Smart Cities's Smart City Challenge 2024, offers exactly this.