Urban Biome

Free tools for greener cities

We build tools that help you understand and improve your local environment. See where nature is needed most. Map what's already there. Take action.

Explore Bristol Add a sighting

The problem

Cities face multiple environmental challenges at once. Heat islands, air pollution, flood risk, and lack of green space all affect the same neighbourhoods.

But environmental data is scattered across different agencies. It's hard for communities to see the full picture or know where action is most needed.

Urban Biome brings this data together. We build tools that turn complex environmental information into something anyone can understand and act on.

How we work

We build small, focused tools. Each one does one thing well. Together they form a toolkit you can use to understand and improve your environment.

Free and open

Our tools are free. They use public data from government and satellites. When you add information, others can use it too.

Starting local

We're based in Bristol. We're building tools that work here first, then expanding to other cities. This helps us learn what actually works.

Who it's for

Councils

Find where to focus tree planting and green space projects. See which areas face the most challenges. Track what you've done.

Developers

Check environmental conditions before you build. Find sites that need biodiversity improvements. Show the benefits of your project.

Community groups

Map what's in your neighbourhood. Find spots for new trees or gardens. Get the data you need for funding bids.

Tools

A growing toolkit. Each tool does one thing well.

Explorer

See where environmental challenges overlap. View air quality, flood risk, heat, noise, vegetation and deprivation data on one map.

Open Explorer

Sightings

Map existing green infrastructure. Add photos of street trees, rain gardens and green walls. See what others have found.

Open Sightings

Scout In development

Find sites for new green infrastructure. Uses satellite imagery to identify potential locations for trees, planters and nature-based solutions.

Redact

Remove personal data from planning documents. Runs in your browser. Your files never leave your device.

Open Redact

Outbuildings In development

Check if your garden structure needs planning permission. Enter your postcode, draw your building, get a preliminary assessment.

Where the data comes from

We use public data from satellites and government agencies. This shows the big picture across the whole city.

SourceTypeShows
Sentinel-5PSatelliteAir quality (NO₂)
Sentinel-2SatelliteVegetation index
Landsat 8SatelliteSurface temperature
Environment AgencyGovernmentFlood risk zones
DEFRAGovernmentNoise pollution
Ordnance SurveyGovernmentBase mapping

Community sightings fill in the detail. When you add a photo of a street tree or rain garden, you're helping build a more complete picture.

Team

We're based in Bristol. We bring together experience in technology, construction, and making cities greener.

Reuben Forster

Co-Founder, Technology & Data

Reuben builds tools that turn environmental data into maps. He has 15 years in construction and landscaping. He now writes code and works with public data.

Manon Dangelser

Co-Founder, Strategy & Communication

Manon shapes our strategy and direction. She has 10 years working on buildings and cities. She helps turn urban problems into practical solutions.

Contact

We're interested in partnerships with local authorities, developers and community groups.

Email
info@urbanbiome.co.uk
Location
Bristol, UK
Get in touch