The city of Saint-Amable is taking an innovative step by introducing a new ecofiscal measure: a tax on residential lots without trees. The goal is to reduce urban heat islands and accelerate greening across the territory, while encouraging residents to take greater responsibility for their urban forest. 👉 Read the CBC article
This initiative raises an essential question: how can cities implement a fair, measurable, and effective ecofiscal policy... without the right technology?
📊 Data-first, not guesswork
Thanks to high-precision LiDAR data and 360° imagery, combined with artificial intelligence, Jakarto enables municipalities to:
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Map and measure vegetation coverage at the lot level
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Identify non-compliant properties
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Monitor the evolution of the urban canopy over time
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Detect tree planting opportunities, based on existing vegetation, aerial infrastructure, and soil characteristics (e.g., permeability, porosity)
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Implement eco-tax policies based on objective geospatial data
The result: a green tax strategy that is fair, transparent, and measurable, effectively funding the environmental transition while supporting the strategic planning of urban greening.
🌱 Victoriaville: making developers responsible for greener growth
Another example comes from Victoriaville, an environmental leader that recently imposed a fee on land development projects involving deforestation. Developers are now encouraged to preserve or replant trees, with the tax based on the area cleared.
👉 Read the Radio-Canada article (in French)
This kind of approach becomes practical — and defensible — with tools like those offered by Jakarto, which allow cities to:
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Document the before and after conditions of development sites
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Accurately measure cleared or replanted areas
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Provide clear geospatial reports to developers and city officials
🌿🏡 Varennes: encouraging planting with financial support
Some cities, like Varennes, take a more incentive-based approach. Their subsidy program provides financial assistance for the purchase and planting of trees on residential lots, empowering citizens to take part in urban greening.
👉 See Varennes’ subsidy program (in French)
Here again, a clear view of the territory enables cities to identify priority areas and assess the impact of their programs.
📈 Toward a smarter generation of green policies
Ecofiscal policies are not just about taxation — they represent a comprehensive urban resilience strategy. With up-to-date, high-precision, and visualizable data, cities can not only tax or incentivize… but also plan, fund, and support long-term greening efforts.
👉 Saint-Amable, Victoriaville, Varennes… who’s next? 📧 Contact us
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