Luoti, a nature information system for a more sustainable future

This article series presents cases of innovations built here in Espoo that strive for a better tomorrow for all.

Espoo aims to be the most sustainable city in Europe, with related goals to promote digitalization. We base our nature and water conservation always on sufficient and up-to-date information on the state of the environment and natural values. To support this work, the city has developed a new nature information system, Luoti.

Luoti is a user-oriented and cost-effective nature data management model and information system that integrates seamlessly with the city’s existing processes and system architecture. 

Luoti has been developed to respond to the development and automation needs of Espoo’s nature data management. It enables the processing, management and utilization of the growing amount of nature data and prepares for changing future needs. The ordering, reception and management of nature surveys will be gathered in one survey portal produced as a SaaS. This automates the verification and storage of the received nature site data in the database making it more accessible.

As a centralized system, Luoti produces comparable data with metadata that enables also the use of machine learning to support knowledge-based management. It enables the city to use resources more efficiently to promote ecological, social and cultural sustainability and prevent the loss of biodiversity. Based on an open-source system, it can be freely adapted and developed further by other European cities.