Frequently asked questions
General
What is this site?
CivicAI is a community map and reporting platform: you report local issues (roads, sidewalks, green space, lighting, etc.), track your cases, add trees to the map, adopt a tree, or log watering. Reports appear on the map after review.
Reporting
How do I submit a report?
Click on the map at the problem location, or use the "+ Report" button. Choose a category, add a short title and description. You can attach a photo. You can submit anonymously; for status notifications, enter your email or log in.
Tree upload and trees
How do I add a tree to the map?
You must be logged in. In the legend, click "Add new tree", or choose the "Add tree" category on the map. Set the location (click on the map), optionally add species and note. If you upload a photo, AI can suggest species, trunk and canopy size; if there is no photo or AI cannot recognize it, you can fill the fields manually.
- Good light: the tree should be well lit (sunny or overcast bright).
- Trunk in frame: include at least part of the trunk – helps estimate species and trunk size.
- Canopy: if possible, include the crown (leaves) – shoot from a distance or add a second photo.
- Avoid: very dark, blurry, or only a leaf close-up – these make species and size harder to estimate.
Account and login
Why do some features require registration or login?
You can submit reports anonymously. Adding trees, adopting a tree, and logging watering require login so the system knows who added or watered the tree and can award XP.
What is XP and the leaderboard?
You earn XP points for reports, tree uploads, and other activities. The leaderboard shows the most active users; you can see your rank in the header.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. On mobile, the full-screen report form and map are available; the menu is at the bottom.
Ideas
How do I submit an idea?
When logged in, use the "New idea" button on the map or in the Ideas menu. Set a location, title and description. Others can vote; the authority can set status (e.g. under review, planned, implemented).
Sensors and environmental data
What do the sensors on the map show?
The map can show external stations (e.g. WeatherXM, OpenAQ, OpenWeather): air quality (AQI, PM2.5), temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, etc. On the government dashboard, the Sensors tab lets you sync and view detailed data.
Government dashboard and City Brain
What is the government dashboard and City Brain?
Government users (gov user) see a central dashboard with reports, ideas, analytics, the Sensors (IoT) list and City Brain modules: live data, predictions, hotspots, trends, environmental AI, AI summaries and alerts. These are available under "Government dashboard" after login.
Participatory budget
How do I vote on projects?
If the authority has launched participatory budgeting, projects appear under Budget / Participatory budget. When logged in, you can cast one vote per project. The authority decides on implementation based on votes.
Surveys
Where can I complete surveys?
Active surveys are listed under the Surveys menu. Each survey can be completed only once. Completing requires login.