VISTA, together with our partners BitaGreen and ClimateScale, has been selected as one of the top 10 SPACE4Cities projects and is moving on to phase 2 (prototype development). For cities, this means scalable, data-driven decisions for urban greenery—from individual trees to city-wide strategies. The official announcement can be found here: SPACE4CITIES Winners selected! SPACE4Cities Top 10 Suppliers move to Phase 2 – Prototype Development

Our focus: Supplementing proven, location-based prioritization using sensor technology (e.g., for individual trees) with satellite data in such a way that city-wide recommendations become possible. VISTA is thus the first step toward applying data operationally (irrigation, maintenance) and strategically (corridors, heat, investment planning) from a single source.

What is VISTA?

VISTA is a data-driven system that combines satellite data, modeling, and sensor ground truth to provide actionable recommendations for urban greenery—from route-enabled irrigation in day-to-day operations to strategic planning at the city level. Why now? City trees are under pressure: drought stress, compacted soils, heat islands. At the same time, demands for efficiency and transparency are increasing. VISTA helps to take action where the impact and cost-benefit ratio are highest—and to make results measurable.

What VISTA delivers in concrete terms:
Data → Insights → Action

In short: VISTA translates complex data sets into clear priorities and actionable tasks.

• A dashboard for operations and strategy: color-coded priorities ("observe/act"), card UI, role-based views.
• Early warning & watering lists: large-scale transmission of stress signals and needs-based watering recommendations – routeable for crews.
• Ecological connectivity & biodiversity: highlighting where corridors should be strengthened.
• Key figures & reporting: KPIs on vitality, response time, resource utilization—exportable and reportable.
• Integration: quick start via upload (CSV/GeoJSON), permanent connection via OGC services (WMS/WFS) and API.

In pilot projects, we expect improvements of up to double-digit percentages—e.g., lower water and operating costs, faster response times, and fewer replacement plantings. The actual values depend on location, climate, and process maturity.

Who is VISTA intended for?

VISTA addresses teams that make daily decisions—and departments that plan for the long term.
VISTA is aimed at city green space managers and smart city officials who want to make their green space management scalable, measurable, and seamlessly integrable. They receive a tool that supports operational decisions in day-to-day business as well as strategic decisions for the coming years. VISTA can be integrated into existing data and system landscapes in just a few simple steps, requires only minimal training, and makes the cost-benefit effect transparent – from individual locations to the entire city.

Use cases that have an immediate effect

1) Prioritized irrigation throughout the city

VISTA expands proven sensor practices at individual locations to provide a city-wide view of actual irrigation needs. Based on satellite data, models, and—where available—sensor ground truth, the system generates traceable watering recommendations and prioritized routes. Teams can thus plan their operations more precisely, reduce unnecessary trips, and use water where it has the greatest impact.

2) Early warning along critical infrastructure

VISTA detects early stress patterns in sensitive areas such as busy streets, squares, or public facilities. The indicators show where action is needed before visible damage occurs. This allows green space maintenance teams to take preventive action, time their work better, and plan resources proactively—instead of just reacting to acute incidents.

3) Biodiversity corridors & strategies

VISTA shows where ecological corridors are already functioning and where gaps need to be closed. The maps and key figures support urban planning and urban greening efforts in targeting measures for biodiversity, cooling, and quality of life. This results in strategic planting and maintenance decisions that not only have a local impact but also strengthen the entire urban structure.

What the selection means: From idea to real-world implementation – together with European cities.

With its selection among the top 10 by SPACE4Cities, VISTA is entering phase 2 and thus prototype implementation. For us, this is more than just an award: it shows that the "satellite + sensor technology + modeling" approach is having an impact precisely where cities need answers today. In phase 2, we will refine the user guidance, test data pipelines in real-world operation, and translate analyses into everyday workflows for urban greenery and smart city teams. We plan to prepare concrete pilot applications—in coordination with Amsterdam and Helsinki, among others. Our goal remains pragmatic: fast, reliable recommendations for the area and measurable effects that can be reflected in reporting.

Meet us in Barcelona (November 4–6, 2025)

We are at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona – the ideal place to experience VISTA live in 15 minutes. You can find us at the joint stand of the Free State of Bavaria, right at the entrance to Hall 2. We will also be presenting VISTA at the SPACE4Cities event: "Solving Urban Challenges with Innovative Satellite Data Solutions, " November 4, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., Room Europa, Hotel Porta Fira (opposite the entrance to Fira Barcelona, Plaza Europa 45). In the short demo, we will show how VISTA derives city-wide irrigation priorities, detects stress early on, and visualizes biodiversity corridors – including Q&A and concrete next steps for your pilot.

About the authors

BitaGreen (nature & climate tech), Climate Scale (climate intelligence), and TreeSense (sensor technology & analytics) are developing VISTA as a joint offering for cities. The consortium combines satellite and climate data, process-based models, and in-situ data to create practical solutions—from operational deployment planning to strategic resilience management.