Deriving Height Information Using LiDAR Data for Chicago: A High School Student’s Journey to Urban Climate Research

Urban green spaces are vital for maintaining ecological balance and enhancing the quality of life in metropolitan areas. However, accurately measuring and monitoring vegetation, particularly canopy height, across expansive urban landscapes presents significant challenges. This study addresses these challenges by developing a comprehensive model to estimate both canopy and building heights using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data in the Chicago metropolitan area. We utilized a Python-based script within ArcGIS to process raw LiDAR data into digital terrain and digital surface elevations for each tile, then stitching them together using the Mosaic function. In total, over 20,000 LiDAR tiles were processed. In the subsequent steps, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and building footprint layers were used to extract and analysis vegetation and building characteristics across diverse urban and suburban regions. In the end, we derived accurate representations of canopy height, which were validated through field measurements. This approach not only ensured precision but also facilitated large-scale analysis across the entire Chicago metropolitan area. The potential applications of this dataset are extensive. Urban planners and environmentalists can use the predicted canopy height data to monitor green spaces, assess the health of urban forests, and plan sustainable urban development. Furthermore, the dataset provides a foundation for future research using advanced machine learning techniques to improve our understanding of complex urban processes.

Throughout this project, I had the opportunity to participate in multiple academic events during my summer internship, including a poster symposium hosted at DPI and the urban measurement field campaign organized by the DOE Urban IFL project CROCUS. These experiences not only helped me learn more about urban climate science but also allowed me to connect with experts in the field, giving me a deeper understanding of how scientific research can make a difference in our cities. This project has been an incredible learning experience. It taught me valuable technical skills in data processing and analysis and showed me how important urban climate research is for tackling environmental challenges. Contributing to this study has given me a glimpse into the world of scientific research, and I’m excited to continue exploring this field, with the hope of making a positive impact on urban environments in the future.