Guiding tree location selection in Philadelphia and beyond, with a focus on intelligent planting strategies

In the heart of Philadelphia, a graduate student at the Weitzman School of Design, Frank Chen, is working on a project that could revolutionise urban planning and help cities combat heatwaves.

Chen's project involves strategically mapping the best places to plant street trees in Philadelphia for optimal shade and pedestrian benefit. This is no small feat, as it requires balancing an intricate trade-off between tree shade and tree location, all with pedestrian well-being in mind.

Chen's journey in urban planning began during his youth, fostered by his parents who are architects based in Hangzhou, China. His fascination with cities, maps, and urban spaces grew, leading him to pursue degrees in Master of City Planning and Master of Urban Spatial Analytics (MUSA) at the Weitzman School of Design.

Chen's project is not a solo endeavour. He is mentored by Weitzman faculty members Xiaojiang Li and Eric Delmelle. Li, a renowned expert in urban sustainability studies and geospatial data science, taught Chen to code for the visual mapping component of the project using GPU computation methods. Delmelle, on the other hand, offered guidance from a spatial optimization perspective.

Much of Li's published research provided Chen with substantial reference points, and his mentorship has been instrumental in shaping Chen's research. Chen's work may benefit urban residents in Philadelphia and beyond, potentially being used by city governments or companies to help Philadelphia residents.

Chen's research is driven by the potential to help people and finds projects with real-world implications exciting. He is motivated to generate new solutions that help make cities safer and healthier for all, as city planning becomes increasingly vital amid rising heatwaves and migration to urban areas.

Looking ahead, Chen plans to pursue a Ph.D. focused on the intersection of geography and urban planning. He is inspired by Penn alums Lin Huiyin and Liang Sicheng, and would likely pursue his Ph.D. in a city that offers strong programs at the intersection of these fields. Possible locations could include universities known for these fields, such as Kaiserslautern or Heidelberg.

As Chen continues his research, he accounts for real-world constraints, such as distance to buildings, avoiding street poles, and street intersections, to ensure practical results. His project is a testament to his dedication to making cities more livable and sustainable for all.

Guiding tree location selection in Philadelphia and beyond, with a focus on intelligent planting strategies