Treasuring trees to make cities greener and healthier

Forests and green spaces can help create more resilient and sustainable cities, and address the challenges of an increasing urban population, is the message FAO delivered to participants of the first World Forum on Urban Forests.

“More sustainable models of urban growth are urgently needed,” said Hiroto Mitsugi, FAO Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department at the opening of the forum.

“Existing and future cities must plan and design green spaces and urban forests to fulfill different interests and needs, provide the ecosystem services required by an increasingly urban society and enhance the rural-urban continuum,” he added.

He also called on participants to endorse a set of urban forest solutions – listed below and launched at the forum – all aimed to create greener, healthier cities.

The Forum – Changing the nature of cities: the role of urban forestry for a green, healthier and happier future – is organised by FAO, the Municipality of Mantova, the Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF) and the Politecnico di Milano.

The forum provides a platform for sharing positive examples of urban forest planning, design and management around the world, and an opportunity to firm up participants’ commitments to harness the benefits of forests.

Over 600 people – mayors, academics, foresters, landscape designers and town planers from more than 50 countries – are set to participate in the forum (28 November-1 December).

Why invest in urban forests and green spaces?

Cities occupy only three percent of the planet’s surface, but consume 75 percent of natural resources. Over half of the world’s population lives in cities, but by 2050, this is expected to rise to nearly 70 percent. At the same time, demand for urban water is likely to double.

By better factoring in forest solutions in urban planning, forests and green spaces can address a range of challenges.

They can remove harmful pollutants, reduce noise, improve temperatures, mitigate impacts of climate change, supply a range of products and renewable energy, protect water sources, and prevent soil erosion and floods.

How to create greener cities?

The forum’s organisers launched a call for action, putting forward a set of forest solutions for participants to endorse. These include:

• Expanding canopy cover in cities, using the right tree in the right place;
• Developing political agendas that promote green spaces and urban forests;
• Regularly monitoring the heat-island effect in cities for strategic planning of urban forests;
• Using existing technical guidelines to plan, design and manage urban forests and trees;
• Creating and promoting green jobs and economic opportunities;
• Converting neglected areas, brownfields and courtyards into green spaces;
• Promoting community gardens, urban agriculture and urban food forests;
• Increasing the number of green buildings and vertical forests and encouraging the installation of green roofs.

Original source: FAO
Published on 28 November 2018