An Abu Dhabi-based startup called FortyGuard is revolutionizing urban planning with the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. Led by entrepreneur Jay Sadiq, the company is addressing the lack of detailed temperature data in cities by utilizing AI algorithms to process billions of data points every day. The result is the creation of models that accurately depict urban heat patterns, providing valuable insights to stakeholders, including urban planners, businesses, and residents.
The concept of urban heat islands, where cities experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas, is not new. Heat-absorbing materials like concrete and asphalt, vehicle emissions, and the reduced wind flow caused by tall buildings all contribute to this phenomenon. In response, cities like Chicago and Los Angeles have implemented strategies such as green rooftops and solar-reflective road materials to combat extreme heat. However, Mr. Sadiq saw a significant gap in data that could pinpoint the hottest areas in cities and help deploy heat-reducing measures effectively.
“When I started the company, I realized the level of information needed didn’t exist,” Mr. Sadiq explained in a recent interview with CNN. This realization fuelled his determination to develop a solution that combines elevation, vegetation, water bodies, and atmospheric conditions to provide a comprehensive view of urban temperature dynamics.
FortyGuard’s innovative approach has achieved impressive results, with models reaching 89 percent accuracy for certain cities in the United States. The company has collaborated with clients like Masdar City, a sustainable urban project in the UAE, to identify heat hotspots and recommend solutions such as tree planting and the addition of water features.
However, the startup envisions a wider range of applications for its technology. Mr. Sadiq aims to integrate urban heat intelligence into platforms like real estate or map services, empowering homebuyers to identify cooler neighborhoods and helping joggers plan optimal routes. “Our approach goes beyond measuring air temperature at a specific point in time,” Mr. Sadiq emphasized.
Experts in the field of urban climatology recognize the value of precise urban heat data. Professor James Voogt, a leading expert in urban climatology at the University of Western Ontario, highlighted the importance of the AI training process and the data on which it is based. Meanwhile, Chao Ren, an applied climatology specialist at the University of Hong Kong, emphasized the significance of how this data is used. “The question is really, who will be the end user of your data, and who will put such urban heat information into their practices?” she posed.
The work that FortyGuard is doing represents a significant step forward in the field of urban planning and climate adaptation. By providing detailed temperature dynamics and heat patterns, the company is empowering decision-makers and individuals to make informed choices that combat extreme heat and create more livable cities. With FortyGuard’s data analytics and AI technology, the potential to unlock the power of AI and tackle urban heat is within reach.
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