Application of QR Codes in Garden Management
Original article: https://cli.im/article/detail/1953
Today, Changchun Chaoyang District Landscape Management Center demonstrates the application of QR codes in their management system. With support from senior leadership in early 2021, after market research, we decided to build a QR code-based smart garden management system using CaoLiao QR Code platform.
Changchun City is renowned as a "Forest City" with leading forest coverage nationwide. Chaoyang District alone has over 10,000 street trees and dozens of green spaces. Before implementing this system, we faced three main challenges:
- Personnel management inefficiency: Field staff dispersed across streets made daily attendance tracking ineffective.
- Delayed emergency response: Falling large trees caused annual casualties and property damage.
- Citizen complaint handling difficulties: Direct 12345 hotline reports left us unable to follow up with complainants.
To address these, we organized a 35-person team for a two-week tree census, collecting species, diameter, status, and image data for each street tree. Four data entry specialists spent two months inputting this information into the system.
Our system comprises three core components:
- 35 inspection staff report tree/green space conditions (including hazardous trees, broken branches, pests, construction damage, etc.) through QR code-enabled forms during daily patrols.
- Department administrators monitor submissions in real-time via desktop workbench, archiving data or dispatching tasks to construction teams.
- Construction teams document on-site operations through forms, recording personnel, projects, workloads, and multimedia evidence, completing the operational loop.
To date, the system has recorded over 23,000 QR code scans. Through collaborative use by inspectors, construction staff, and system managers, we maintain dynamic monitoring of each tree's status via unique QR codes. Accumulated data, images, and videos now form a living archive for Chaoyang District's urban forest.
I. Implementation Process
1. Creating Tree "ID Cards" - One Code per Tree
Each tree receives a QR code "ID card" containing species, location, and botanical information, accessible via mobile scan.
2. Standardized Maintenance Records
Inspectors and maintenance staff verify and document work items through structured checklists, creating traceable maintenance logs.
3. Citizen Feedback Channel
Residents can submit feedback directly via WeChat scan without app downloads, with managers capable of replying through the system.
4. Real-Time Abnormal Condition Alerts
The system automatically notifies managers when inspectors report tree abnormalities through predefined triggers.
5. Structured Data Generation
Administrators populate standardized forms to create analyzable datasets. Current database contains 13,915 QR codes with 3,200+ form submissions.
6. Data Visualization and Export
Visual maintenance dashboards with image verification enable real-time monitoring via desktop and mobile interfaces. Managers can export Excel reports detailing tree distributions by species and location.
II. Implementation Methods
We adopted a tiered training approach:
- Head administrator trained 4 subsystem managers for daily operations
- Subsystem managers trained department administrators
- Department administrators trained field staff and construction teams
- Field staff received basic scanning and form submission training
- Construction foremen documented site operations through forms
- Department administrators compiled reports for leadership review
III. System Benefits
This QR code system has enabled:
- Intelligent greening management
- Enhanced maintenance efficiency
- Integrated information supervision
- Dynamic monitoring capabilities
- Data-driven decision making
- Citizen engagement channels
Launched on July 8, 2021, the system received recognition from Changchun Forestry and Landscape Bureau on August 20, 2021, with coverage in Changchun Daily and local TV programs. In May 2022, it was recommended as an exemplary project through official channels, gaining national media exposure including:
- CPC Central Committee Propaganda Department Study Platform
- People's Daily Online
- Changchun Municipal Government Portal
- Tencent News
- Phoenix News
- Sina News
Acknowledgement: Special thanks to CaoLiao QR Code technical team for their professional support.
Related news: 《Changchun Chaoyang District Housing and Construction Bureau: One Code per Tree Creates "Smart Gardens"》