Urban tree census as catalyst for improved public health: a community-led exploration in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town
1
City and Regional Planning, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Div of Health Systems and Public Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A704
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Trees provide multifaceted, low-cost benefits for public health. In postcolonial South Africa it remains an underutilised resource. The community of Bishop Lavis exemplifies "green apartheid," where historically Coloured designated areas suffer from systematically lower urban tree cover, perpetuating a socioecological inequality that has negative consequences. However, to understand, unlock and leverage health benefits of trees requires data on its availability and accessibility which is often unavailable. Creating a community tree inventory is a logical starting point to achieve these aims. This exploratory study, part of Stellenbosch University's Social Responsibility Initiative, examines urban forestry practices, community participation and mapping as a pathway to enhanced well-being.
METHODS:
To determine a baseline count of trees in Bishop Lavis’s public spaces, a census was undertaken. Using a participatory design, the project recruited and upskilled community members in novel AI technology via the openly available Pl@ntNet mobile application. Participants photographed, identified, and geolocated all public trees to create a community tree inventory, assessing quantity, distribution and species composition. This generated foundational data on the local urban forest.
RESULTS:
There was a total of 875 observations made over five days of data collection. The census revealed a small overall public urban forest in Bishop Lavis, with stark intra-community disparities certain areas markedly more tree-poor than others, exacerbating vulnerabilities in high-density zones.
CONCLUSIONS:
A public tree census can act as a catalyst for public health awareness and community justice. Participation empowers residents to generate their own baseline data, fostering ownership. Public urban tree data offer a promising pathway to improved nature-based intervention for marginalized areas. Findings advocate for public awareness, education and policy integration of resident-led urban forestry initiatives into urban development frameworks to enhance public health.
Trees provide multifaceted, low-cost benefits for public health. In postcolonial South Africa it remains an underutilised resource. The community of Bishop Lavis exemplifies "green apartheid," where historically Coloured designated areas suffer from systematically lower urban tree cover, perpetuating a socioecological inequality that has negative consequences. However, to understand, unlock and leverage health benefits of trees requires data on its availability and accessibility which is often unavailable. Creating a community tree inventory is a logical starting point to achieve these aims. This exploratory study, part of Stellenbosch University's Social Responsibility Initiative, examines urban forestry practices, community participation and mapping as a pathway to enhanced well-being.
METHODS:
To determine a baseline count of trees in Bishop Lavis’s public spaces, a census was undertaken. Using a participatory design, the project recruited and upskilled community members in novel AI technology via the openly available Pl@ntNet mobile application. Participants photographed, identified, and geolocated all public trees to create a community tree inventory, assessing quantity, distribution and species composition. This generated foundational data on the local urban forest.
RESULTS:
There was a total of 875 observations made over five days of data collection. The census revealed a small overall public urban forest in Bishop Lavis, with stark intra-community disparities certain areas markedly more tree-poor than others, exacerbating vulnerabilities in high-density zones.
CONCLUSIONS:
A public tree census can act as a catalyst for public health awareness and community justice. Participation empowers residents to generate their own baseline data, fostering ownership. Public urban tree data offer a promising pathway to improved nature-based intervention for marginalized areas. Findings advocate for public awareness, education and policy integration of resident-led urban forestry initiatives into urban development frameworks to enhance public health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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