Location: Dundee, Scotland
In 2022, the University of Dundee began developing its “Living Lab”; a process whereby green spaces would be transformed into areas which promote learning and experimentation.
An important part of this process was the Tree Asset Valuation, an exercise which uses i-Tree methodology. i-Tree is a tool which measures the ecosystem services that trees provide. By using i-Tree to help build its Living Lab, the university has been able to manage its green spaces more effectively, and use the data provided by i-Tree to address environmental challenges, including climate change, carbon sequestration, and resilience.
A key principle behind the Living Lab concept is that informed decisions should be based on clear data. Kevin Frediani, who leads the project, said:
“You can’t manage what you don’t know.”
The Tree Asset Valuation has helped the University to better understand the health of its tree stock, and the benefits these trees are providing.
It is also helping the University to offer a campus which is designed for the wellbeing of its students. The assessment offers a data-driven approach, and allows the university’s stakeholders to understand the contribution its green infrastructure is making environmentally. This understanding can be critical when advocating for the protection and expansion of green spaces in discussions with decision-makers. For Kevin, this tool acted as a “compass,” helping to guide the university in its efforts to restore balance between the built and natural environments there.
You can't manage what you don't know.
One of the key insights derived from the Tree Asset Valuation was the stark contrast between the university’s Botanic Garden and the main campus, in terms of tree cover and ecosystem service provision. While the Botanic Garden has long been recognised as a rich, diverse green space, the assessment revealed that the main campus, despite its larger size and historical significance, contributed far less to the university’s overall environmental health. According to Kevin, this imbalance “shows you the values that the university has had,” with more resources historically directed towards built infrastructure at the expense of green space development.
The valuation highlighted the need for a shift in priorities, and equipped Kevin and his team with the evidence they needed to advocate for increased investment in the university’s landscape. By showing that ecosystem services were being underutilised on the main campus, the Tree Asset Valuation provided a persuasive case for rethinking how the campus could contribute to the university’s sustainability goals, including carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
In order to provide a well-being campus for its students, staff and the community, the Living Lab needed to focus on its natural areas. By quantifying the environmental benefits of trees, such as their ability to reduce air pollution and provide shade, the Tree Asset Valuation demonstrated that green spaces are not just aesthetic features but critical components of a healthy, resilient campus.
Kevin told how the project sparked conversations about well-being and sustainability on campus, specifically about ensuring that it is not just an academic space, but one which promotes mental and physical health. This supports the Living Lab’s mission to use data and experimentation to create spaces that benefit both people and the planet.
During the i-Tree study, the Botanic Garden was utilised as a smaller-scale Living Lab. Already diverse and resilient, it became a testing ground for new tree species and landscape techniques. Kevin likened it to “Russian dolls”, where insights from the garden inform campus decisions, which then influence urban greening strategies across the city.
The project helped to evaluate species performance in the garden, and their potential for broader use. This approach (prototyping, learning quickly, and scaling successes) is central to the Living Lab model. As Kevin noted, the garden allows the university to “fail fast”, refining solutions before wider implementation.
Beyond its technical contributions, the Tree Asset Valuation also played a role in increasing collaboration and community engagement. By involving students, staff, and external contractors in the data collection process, Kevin transformed the inventory exercise into what he calls “community science”. This participatory approach helped everybody involved develop a deeper understanding of green infrastructure management.
The role of the Tree Asset Valuation in the university’s Living Lab project has been key to helping it achieve its sustainability goals. By providing data on ecosystem services, highlighting issues with green space management, and helping inspire the development of a campus that is focused on well-being, the i-Tree assessment has been an essential exercise.
The collaboration and community engagement that resulted from the project, demonstrates the potential for i-Tree and other data-driven methods to not only improve environmental outcomes, but also to bolster the social and educational benefits of projects like this. As the university continues to explore the possibilities for its Living Lab, the lessons learned from the Tree Asset Valuation will undoubtedly help shape its future.
Download the report here.
Treeconomics is the go-to organisation for the valuing of trees in towns and cities. We specialise in all aspects of urban forest management and offer a range of services, from canopy cover assessments through to comprehensive management plans.
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