Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs

AI-Assisted Planning for Sustainable Urbanism: Mapping Urban Livability in a Contemporary American City through Tree Coverage

Kunth Shah (School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA)
Edwin Flores (School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study explores the integration of artificial intelligence, spatial analysis, and urban design to evaluate and enhance urban livability while addressing socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities in contemporary cities. Using Austin, Texas, as a case study, the research combines ArcGIS-based spatial analysis with AI-assisted modeling to examine environmental, socio-economic, and infrastructural datasets, with urban tree canopy coverage serving as a key indicator of neighborhood health and equity. A hexagonal tessellation grid is developed to break down census tract data into standardized spatial units. This allows vulnerability scores to be calculated and correlated with tree coverage. Machine-learning techniques, including regression-based predictive modeling, are applied to identify patterns of vulnerability and forecast future urban conditions using survey-based and real-time data inputs. The findings demonstrate that an integrated GIS–AI workflow effectively reveals socio-spatial disparities in urban livability, paving the way for sustainable urban design, scientific zoning strategies, and informed form-based coding interventions.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijcua

Publisher

Subject

Description

The International Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs (IJCUA) is the interdisciplinary academic, refereed journal which publishes two times a year by Anglo-American Publications LLC. IJCUA brings together all the theories, manifestoes and methodologies on contemporary urban spaces to raise the ...