Athens Gets a Digital Tree Map – And You Can Help!
The City of Athens is embarking on an innovative initiative to create a comprehensive digital map of its urban trees, inviting residents to actively participate. This project, spearheaded by DAEM (the IT company of the Municipality of Athens) and part of the European UrbanReleaf program, aims to gather detailed information on the city’s trees and strengthen the bond between citizens and their urban green environment.
DAEM’s involvement in European research projects highlights its commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to transform Athens into a modern European Smart City, aligning with other leading European cities.
The UrbanReleaf project adheres to contemporary EU guidelines on citizen science, implementing pilot actions not only in Athens but also in other European cities such as Mannheim (Germany), Cascais (Portugal), Riga (Latvia), Utrecht (Netherlands), and Dundee (Scotland). In Athens, the initiative is a collaborative effort with the Directorate of Green & Urban Fauna of the Municipality of Athens.
How to Participate: The Urban ReLeaf Athens’ Trees App
To facilitate citizen participation, the ‘Urban ReLeaf Athens’ Trees’ mobile application has been developed by CIBOS, an UrbanReleaf project partner. Citizens are encouraged to explore their neighborhoods, observe the city’s trees, and contribute to their mapping.
Using the App: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Create an Account: Sign up within the application.
- View Trees on the Map: Existing trees in your vicinity will appear as blue dots.
- Learn More: Select “More” to get detailed information about each tree.
- Update Tree Data: Tap “Update Tree” to add details such as photos, height, trunk circumference, and exact location.
- Add New Trees: If you find a tree not yet on the map, you can easily add it.
Through this process, Athens will gradually develop a dynamic and continuously updated digital green map, powered by its own residents. Download the app and start contributing today!
Technology, Science, and Environment
The application goes beyond simple mapping. As part of the campaign, significant research work has been integrated, allowing the app to calculate the biomass, carbon storage, and CO₂ concentration of urban trees.
These calculations are based on the research of Dr. Magdalini Dapsopoulou, a Forester from the Directorate of Green & Urban Fauna of the Municipality of Athens, whose work is detailed in: Dapsopoulou, M., & Zianis, D. (2025). Biomass Allometries for Urban Trees: A Case Study in Athens, Greece. Forests, 16(3), 466. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030466
This research was conducted as part of her doctoral dissertation, “Urban green, carbon storage and bioenergy production: the case of the Municipality of Athens,” at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management of the Agricultural University of Athens.
The research led to the development of an allometric equation that enables the calculation of urban tree biomass based on two variables: trunk height and tree height. The integration of this scientific model into the UrbanReleaf application aims to improve understanding of sustainable urban management and the resilience of cities to climate challenges.
Ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, this initiative gives Athens residents the opportunity to observe, learn about, and appreciate the trees in their neighborhoods more deeply.
Free Workshop for Children: Become an Urban Explorer!
Recognizing that a connection with the city begins at a young age, UrbanReleaf Athens is extending its activities to children. A free workshop at Serafio will transform young participants into “urban explorers” who will map Athens’ trees and create their own treehouses in models, engaging with their city in a creative and experiential way.
- What: Free workshop for children aged 7-11.
- When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Where: Serafio of the Municipality of Athens (Pireos 144, Athens).
- Registration: Essential to register at [email protected].
This is a unique opportunity for the younger generation to connect with nature and urban planning in a fun and educational environment.
