Innovative problem solving, support for cooperation between a start-up and a municipal company, and environmental care – all three aspects were combined in a recent project in which the Brno City Council (simultaneously), the Brno Technology Park and Arbo Technologies cooperated. The Ministry of the Interior also recognised the successful model in its competition.
In the 15th edition of the prestigious competition for the Ministry of the Interior’s Awards for Quality and Innovation in Public Administration (2022/2023), Brno won the award for innovation in public administration, specifically in the category that focuses on solutions that benefit the citizen directly.
Brno won the award for a project that preserved several dozen trees in the Technology Park. During a routine dendrological survey, they had to be cut down. However, using the advanced Adbian method, applied by Brno-based start-up Arbo Technologies, which leads to a much more accurate determination of the condition of trees, it turned out that all but four of the roughly 60 trees could remain.
Although the collaboration was directly between the city company and the start-up, the city initiated it, providing favourable wind in its sails. It also took all the risks.
Since they are part of the public sphere and manage taxpayers’ money, municipal companies must be more competent in testing untested procedures. In this case, however, the fact that the Technology Park functions as our municipal laboratory and is built for innovation and experimentation also plays a role. But now, the tried and tested process can be used by other companies without fear. In a broader context, it has shown that such innovative collaboration between the public and private sectors is possible.
Arbo Technologies takes care of green spaces based on data evaluation. It uses the Adbian method to analyse the stability of trees. The process is based on the findings of applied biomechanics and also partly uses artificial intelligence. As a result of the data analysis, it can be determined which trees should be cut down and which can remain.
A unique app evaluates the health of the trees. Through it, the researcher takes a scan of the trunk, after which it is possible to create a 3D model of the tree under study and assess its condition in detail. Scanning the trees is not done once but continuously several times. The data acquired is thus more accurate than traditional dendrological research, which has been proven in the Technology Park, where mature trees have been preserved to prevent overheating and provide visitors with sufficient shade and comfort for picnics. The company has saved the cost of felling trees and, thanks to the city’s patronage, has verified how to care for the greenery without any significant financial risk. In addition, other Brno city companies or city districts can take inspiration from the company.
Brno was also awarded in the Smart Cities 2022 competition for this cooperation and received a Smart City project quality certificate from the Ministry of Regional Development.
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