Application of QR Codes in Garden Management

Original: https://cli.im/article/detail/1953

Today, the Garden Management Center of Chaoyang District, Changchun City, has been invited to showcase the application of QR codes in their management system. In early 2021, with the support of senior leadership and after market research, it was decided to build a QR code-based smart garden management system using the CaoLiao QR code application scenario.

Changchun City is renowned as the "Forest City," with forest coverage ranking among the highest in the country. Chaoyang District alone has over 10,000 street trees and dozens of other green spaces. Before implementing this system, our main challenges were:

1. Inability to effectively manage personnel, as staff were dispersed across streets. Daily morning check-ins at the unit did not provide insight into daytime work conditions.
2. Inability to promptly handle emergencies, such as large tree falls within the jurisdiction, which annually resulted in casualties and vehicle damage.
3. When citizens encountered issues, they would directly dial 12345. After handling the complaints, we were unable to contact the complainants, leading to passive work responses.

Based on these challenges, we first assigned 35 personnel to conduct a two-week survey of all street trees in the district, divided by areas. Information for each street tree, including species, diameter, current condition, and images, was recorded. Four computer data entry staff were then assigned to input this data into the system over approximately two months.

Our system primarily consists of the following components:

1. A total of 35 greening inspectors conduct daily patrols and report the condition of trees or green spaces (including hazardous or dead trees, broken branches, pests and diseases, construction damage, natural disasters, vehicle accidents, etc.) via QR codes on the trees using reporting forms.
2. Relevant computer administrators in various departments monitor form submissions in real-time through the workbench, archive data, and notify respective construction departments as needed.
3. Construction departments carry out on-site work, recording usage details via forms, including the number of workers, construction projects, workload, and on-site photos or videos. This process forms a closed loop.

To date, the center's QR code scans have exceeded 23,000. Through the efforts of greening inspectors, greening construction workers, and system administrators, the maintenance and care of trees or green spaces—such as the status of dead trees, broken branches, and construction—are continuously updated by scanning the unique QR codes on trees and uploading inspection data and images. Center administrators can dynamically monitor the condition of each tree in real-time via the workbench. The accumulated data, images, and videos have become a "living" archive of Chaoyang District's trees.

I. Step-by-Step Explanation

1. Creating Tree "Identity Cards" – One Code per Tree

Create tree "identity cards" with one QR code per tree, containing the tree's species, location, and informational introduction, all displayable with a simple scan.

2. Standardizing Maintenance and Care Records

Greening inspectors and construction workers verify and record work content item by item against inspection checklists, forming maintenance records. Each entry is traceable, ensuring thorough maintenance or construction work.

3. Citizen Feedback via QR Code Scanning

Citizens can provide feedback and suggestions by scanning the QR code with WeChat, without needing to download an app. Administrators can respond to messages.

4. Real-Time Alerts for Abnormal Conditions

If inspectors detect abnormalities in trees, the system automatically sends notifications to administrators after adding an abnormal record.

5. Formatted Data Generation

System administrators fill out form content item by item, generating formatted data to facilitate later data analysis. Currently, 13,915 QR code databases have been created, with over 3,200 form submissions.

6. Viewing and Exporting Data

Daily inspection and maintenance statuses are clear and verifiable with images. Administrators can view data anytime on both desktop and mobile workbenches. Through the established database, administrators can directly export data to Excel spreadsheets and quickly query the number of tree species on any street within the jurisdiction, generating reports.

II. Implementation Methods

During the rollout of QR code usage, we adopted a layered management and phased training approach.

1. I served as the overall administrator, training four sub-system administrators on all aspects of the system. These four individuals handle daily management and maintenance tasks.
2. The four sub-system administrators train internal staff in various business departments. These internal staff manage forms for their respective departments via the workbench and assign work tasks.
3. Internal staff train their department's workers or greening construction teams.
4. Workers receive basic training to scan QR codes and provide feedback on street or green space conditions via forms.
5. Construction teams designate a team leader who scans QR codes and fills out forms to report on-site conditions.
6. Finally, internal staff from each department download and summarize their department's work data to report to unit leadership.

III. Application Summary

In summary, the widespread application of QR codes in our center has enabled intelligent greening management, addressed greening maintenance issues, improved the efficiency and quality of greening inspection management, and integrated the functions and advantages of informational supervision and dynamic monitoring. This has created an intelligent greening maintenance supervision and assessment system, providing comprehensive informational service support for refined greening management. With the continuous advancement of smart applications, maintenance work has entered an era of "refined maintenance and informational management" in the big data age. This has allowed garden technology achievements to begin integrating into urban greening and engaging with citizens.

Project preparation began in early 2021, and the system was put into use on July 8 of the same year. On August 20, it received positive feedback from the Changchun Forestry and Garden Bureau and was featured in the Changchun Daily and the "Shouwang Dushi" program. In May 2022, it was again recommended as an outstanding project by the Changchun Forestry and Garden Bureau and approved by the Chaoyang District Propaganda Department for reporting to various higher-level departments. It is now being promoted by major national media and propaganda departments, including:

• The Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee's "Xuexi Qiangguo" platform
• People's Daily Online and People's Daily
• Changchun Municipal Government Portal Website
• Changchun Internet Information Office's "Changchun Release"
• Changchun Daily
• Tencent News
• Phoenix News
• Sina

Lastly, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the staff and technical team at CaoLiao QR Code. Wishing you continued success and prosperity.

Related News: [《Chaoyang District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Changchun City: One Tree, One Code, Creating a "Smart Garden"》](https://cli.im/article/detail/1949 "《Chaoyang District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Changchun City: One Tree, One Code, Creating a "Smart Garden"》")