Urban forestry and urban greening are of growing importance to development - 26.08.2010

For almost ten years, Forest & Landscape at LIFE,- Faculty of Life  Sciences has provided forestry consultation to FAO, thereby assisting FAO in improving livelihoods and environment for healthy cities.

In 2008, for the first time in human history, the number of people living in urban

areas exceeded the rural population.

 

Urban areas in developing countries will account for nearly 90 percent of the projected world population increase of 2.700 million people between 1995 and 2030. In 2025 more than 50% of the African and Asian populations will be living in urban areas. In developing

countries, where 80% of the world’s population reside, central issues will be how to cope with an unprecedented increase in the number of people living in urban areas and with the growing concentration of these urbanites in large cities with millions of residents

and declining availability of natural resources.

 

The importance of urban forestry and urban greening, so far, has received limited  attention in many poor cities and towns as it is often perceived as being associated with beautification projects, which are considered a luxury benefiting only the wealthier part of the population.

 

However, in developing countries, urban forests and other green areas can provide

an important supplement of food, fodder and wood to urban dwellers. The functions of

green areas in and near cities in moderating harsh urban climates, preventing  desertification, and in treating wastewater have also been under investigation. As more knowledge on these aspects is required, urban forestry research and capacity needs to be further extended in the developing world.

 

Recognised as an international centre of excellence on urban forestry and urban greening, Forest & Landscape for almost ten years has assisted FAO in improving livelihoods and environment for healthy cities. The assistance includes preparation of a FAO strategy for Urban and Peri-urban Forestry, a Forestry Outlook Study for West and Central Asia and various workshops, e.g. in conjunction with the World Forestry Congress.

 

From the September 2010 issue of Development News published by Forest & Landscape.

 

Read more about Forest & Landscape at LIFE- Faculty of Life Sciences

 

For more information on forestry consultation, please contact Dr. Kjell Nilsson, Head of the Division of Parks and Urban Landscapes and Deputy Director of the Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning at kjni@life.ku.dk