Trees and the Urban environment

During the recent National conference I attended a session by Dr May carter on the benefits of Urban forest the positive links between contact with nature and health. Setting that support good health and quality of life are a fundamental component of sustainable cities. Even while the importance of green environment within urban settings is gaining acceptance professionals working in the urban planning and design face substantial challengers in achieving desired ecological, social, economic and political outcomes. Current planning strategies across Australia planning legislation practices and process often contain retention of natural systems and incorporation of green Infrastructure (Western Sydney for example) What needs to be done is to initiate change within the community attitudes and promote a new paradigm of city planning and design that value urban nature and supports biodiversity conservation and retention of tree canopy. These benefits include Health, Shading cooling of the Urban environment walk under a tree on a hot day and experience the coolness compared to under the sun with no shade. Economical through less damaged to Infrastructure during heavy rainstorms from storm water. To do this issues need to be addressed such as people’s attitudes or perceptions large trees are dangerous, lack of knowledge, lack of space, no time no money, reluctance to sweep leaves or worried about plumbing.. If people better understood the benefits of urban forestry they may be more willing to grow trees.