EFUF2015 abstract book

Connecting the Street Tree to the Forest Strengthening Nature for Urban Living

18th European Forum on Urban Forestry Brussels/Waterloo (Belgium) 10 12 June 2015

ABSTRACT BOOK

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Copyrights

Copyrights are with the respective authors

Image frontcover: Witteveen+Bos & Cluser, commissioned by LIFE+ OZON

Image backcover: Sabine Destrooper

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EFUF 2015 -‐ Connecting the Street Tree to the Forest p. 3/64

Organised by

BOS+ NGO, Inverde, the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest, and Brussels Environment

In collaboration with

Department of Nature & Forest of the Walloon Region

Organising Committee

Rik De Vreese (BOS+ & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Chair) Ine Lapierre (Inverde) Patrick Huvenne (Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest) Machteld Gryseels (Brussels Environment)

With the financial support of

Editors

Rik De Vreese & Ine Lapierre

Cite as

De Vreese R. & Lapiere I. (2015). Connecting the Street Tree to the Forest Abstract book of the 18th European Forum on Urban Forestry, Brussels/Waterloo (Belgium), 10 -‐ 12, 2015.

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Programme

Wednesday 10 June 2015 Connecting Urban and Nature from the Street Tree to the Urban Forest

Venue: AM: BEL (Tour & Taxis site, Brussels Environment Agency, http://bel.brussels, Avenue du Port 86c/3000, 1000 Brussels)

08:30 Bus is leaving from the hotel IBIS to BEL 09:00 Registration at the BEL & coffee 09:45 Welcome

o Rik De Vreese (BOS+, local organiser) o Machteld Gryseels (Brussels Environment)

10:00 Key Note speeches (Chair: Machteld Gryseels) o Dr. Peter Löffler (European Commission, DG ENV)

Urban Forestry and Green Infrastructure a European perspective

o Marie-‐Céline Godin (Brussels Environment) Connecting Citizens Participative Approaches to Developing Nature in the Brussels Capital Region

o Prof. Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch (SLU Sweden & University of Copenhagen, Denmark) Societal Importance of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening for Urban Living

o Patrick Huvenne (Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest) A Structural Vision for the Sonian Forest cooperating for the largest urban forest in Belgium

o Machteld Gryseels & Serge Kempeneers (Brussels Environment) Introduction to the Connectivity Experience

http://bel.brussels/

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o 12:00 Visit to the Tour & Taxis site (urban regeneration) and the ParckFarm (winner of Public Space Price 2015) with packed lunch

13:30 Start of the Connectivity Experience (moving from the city centre to the peri-‐urban forest featuring multi-‐scale, connectivity and Green Infrastructure principles, bus transfer)

14:45 Connectivity Experience theme Reconnecting the urban (dweller) with Natura2000

o Group 1. Cultural-‐historic and recreational aspects (Red Cloister)

o Group 2. Nature reserve at the urban fringe, grazing, restoring ponds (Red Cloister)

o Group 3. Veteran trees, bats and green bridges (Tournay-‐Solvay Parc)

17:45 Groups present their work (Red Cloister) (20 minutes walking from Hermann-‐Debroux Metro station, metro to Brussels city centre and Brussels-‐Central station)

18:30 Bus transfer to IBIS Waterloo (arrival 19:00) and Brussels-‐North station & Tours&Taxis (arrival 19:15)

19:30 Belgian Dinner in Tennis Waterloo

22:00 dinner ends train to Brussels leaves from Waterloo station at 20:12, 21:12, 22:12, 23:12 (last train); busses from Waterloo Petit Paris bus stop at 20:27, 21:27, 22:27 (last bus)

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Thursday 11 June 2015 -‐ Reconnecting the urban (dweller) with Nature

Venue: Groenendaal site (Plenaries in Bosmuseum, Duboislaan 2, 1560 Hoeilaart; Parallels in Chateau; Duboislaan 1b, Hoeilaart)

08:30 Bus leaves from hotel IBIS Waterloo to Groenendaal 09:00 Presentation (in Bosmuseum)

Steven Vanonckelen (Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest) The LIFE+ OZON project defragmentates the Sonian Forest

09:30 Pitches by EFUF participants (Pecha Kucha style participant) Moderator: Prof. Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch (SLU Sweden & University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

11:00 Coffee break (in Chateau Groenendaal) 11:30 Parallel sessions (in Chateau Groenendaal)

Theme 1. Fragmented urban green infrastructure and its multiple function, and strategic approaches to deal with this Subsession 1a. Sustaining the green infrastructure (Room: Attick/Zolder)

Theme 2. Re-‐connecting citizens, stakeholders and local communities with urban green infrastructure and the urban forest

Session 2a. Urban forest users and stakeholders, their perceptions and the role of communication (Room: Zinnerzaal)

Session 2b. Governance, planning, regeneration and partnership perspectives (Room: Van Wilderzaal)

13:00 Lunch

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14:00 Parallel sessions continue (in Chateau Groenendaal) o Combined session

Theme 1. Fragmented urban green infrastructure and its multiple function, and strategic approaches to deal with this Subsession 1b. Monitoring and inventory (Room: Attick/Zolder)

Theme 3. Natura 2000 and the urban forest reconciling ecological qualities with urban use and urban impact (Room: Attick/Zolder)

o Theme 2. Re-‐connecting citizens, stakeholders and local communities with urban green infrastructure and the urban forest (Room: Van Wilderzaal) Session 2c. Reconnecting Soils, Plants & People (Van

Wilderzaal) 15:30 Coffee break (train to Brussels leaves from Groenendaal at

16:37) 16:00 Walk through the Sonian Forest

Themes: defragmentation through reconnecting, Sonian Forest as UNESCO heritage, no-‐management forest reserves in the urban forest, the LIFE+-‐project OZON (train to Brussels leaves from Groenendaal at 18:37, 19:37)

19:00 Dinner in Sonian Forest (Groenendaal Hippo-‐Droom) 21:30 Shuttle to Hotel IBIS and Groenendaal railway station

(train to Brussels leaves from Groenendaal at 20:37, 21:37)

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Friday 12 June 2015 -‐ Financing Urban Nature looking for alternative sources & project funding

Venue: Tennis Club Waterloo (next to hotel IBIS Waterloo), Boulevard Henri Rollin 5b, 1410 Waterloo

09:00 Introduction to Financing Urban Nature Clive Davies (MD2 Consulting Ltd)

09:10 European Funding for Urban Nature: an overview Rik De Vreese (Project manager & grant writer, BOS+) & Clive Davies (MD2 Consulting Ltd)

09:30 Delegates present their project ideas and the partners searched for Moderator: Clive Davies (MD2 Consulting Ltd)

10:30 Break-‐out groups on selected project ideas towards an EFUF-‐oriented European project

11:15 Coffee break 11:45 Bert De Somviele (Director BOS+ NGO) Crowdfunding and

social innovation activating private capital for afforestation and sustainable forest management

12:00 Feedback from break-‐out groups & the way forward 12:30 Announcement of Awards 12:45 Announcing EFUF2016 (Andrej Verlic, Slovenian Forest

Service GOZDIS) 13:00 Lunch and farewell for the busy ones 13:45 Bus leaves for visit to Waterloo Battlefield site 16:30 Excursion in Sonian Forest Sustainable forest

management in the urban forest 18:30 Bus leaves for IBIS Waterloo & Waterloo railway station 20:00 Farewell dinner (KOBO Food, 4 Rue François Libert, 1410

Waterloo; 600m walking from the hotel)

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Key Note speeches

Urban Forestry and Green Infrastructure a European perspective Peter Löffler, PhD, European Commission, Directorate-‐General for Environment, [email protected]

Keywords: Planetary boundaries, EU policy, EU Forest Strategy

Abstract

The history of urban forests in Europe is long and rich. Three out of four Europeans live in or around cities, and the quality of the built and natural environment in which they live including street trees and urban forests -‐ is an important factor for their quality of life. But urban forestry and green infrastructure also play a role for the achievement of wider environmental policy objectives of the EU under the motto 'living well within the limits of our planet'. This talk will position and discuss urban forestry in the wider EU policy context; outline the green infrastructure concept and its implications for street trees and urban forestry; examine the links with the EU Forest Strategy; and highlight gaps to fill and opportunities to seize in the coming years.

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Connecting Citizens Participative Approaches to Developing Nature in the Brussels Capital Region

Marie-‐Céline Godin, Project Manager, Brussels Environment, [email protected], www.environnement.brussels

Keywords: Plan development, Citizen Involvement, urban biodiversity

Abstract

How could the Brussels-‐Capital Region increase the support base of the future biodiversity strategy and, in the meantime, ensure the quality of the document? It soon became apparent that the organization of a broad participation process was the appropriate way to win the

Environment Minister, Evelyne Huytebroeck, charged Brussels Environment to organize a broad participation process. The process happened in three phases, beginning with the implication of the Nature Council, continuing with two open plenary sessions and four workshops, and ending with a public consultation.

All in all, it took more than two years hard work but we can already affirm that it has helped participants to better know each other and to reinforce the links between local and regional representatives as well as across departments. Thanks to this process, Brussels LBSAP gained much support. We now feel in a better position to transform this enthusiasm into actions in the field.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.environnement.brussels/

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Implication of the nature council

The purpose of the work with the Nature Council was three-‐fold:

To identify the more important challenges for nature and biodiversity in Brussels

To elaborate an ambitious but specific vision to 2050

To propose strategic goals to 2020

This Council is composed of regional administrations representatives, influential NGOs and academics. It seemed important to us to first give the floor to specialists and develop the entire process with their views.

We first began with the examination of Brussels Biodiversity report prepared by Brussels Environment, the draft of which could be improved thanks to the valuable comments given by the CouncilMembers.

This report gives a synthesis of monitoring data, evaluates the main threats to biodiversity in Brussels, recalls and critically examines the already existing regulations and initiatives, formulates recommendations in response to the identified challenges.

The Council then worked over two days to formulate its vision and goals for nature and biodiversity in the Brussels-‐Capital Region that were presented to a broader panel of stakeholders during the kick-‐off meeting of the second phase of the process.

Open workshops and ateliers

The participative process then continued with a more diverse public among which environment and mobility specialists, city planners, CEPA and patrimony specialists. About a hundred representatives from large but also smalresearch institutions, regional, federal and local administrations participated at minimum one of the six meetings that were organized. Even some people from the economic sector participated. They were all invited to express their views on:

The relevance of tentative goals with regard to the challenges identified by Brussels Environment and the Nature Council;

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The relevance of a list of proposed measures to attain the goals;

The feasibility of the proposed measures;

The need of support to implement them out on the field.

We were really enthusiastic of the result of the workshops, compiled in a 66-‐page report. Another source of satisfaction was the great implication of the representatives from local administrations (about 25% of the participants). Together with the NGOs and the Nature Council, they form the beginning of a strong support platform for the implementation of Brussels LBSAP.

Public consultation

Nine months after the closure of the second phase of the participation

Government of the Brussels-‐Capital Region adopted a project strategy to be submitted to a broad public consultation along with a strategic environment assessment.

The consultation took place from 15th February to 15th April 2014. During this period of time, the LBSAP and the ad hoc strategic environmental assessment were made available for consultation in the 19 communities of the Brussels-‐Capital Region and in Brussels Environment. Four information sessions were also organized by consortium of communities, in partnership with the Region.

More than 800 citizens, 12 NGOs and 14 Institutions participated and gave their views.

Brussels Environment is now synthetizing all the remarks and suggestions received and formulating propositions of adaptation. Those propositions will be submitted to the Brussels Government in the coming month. As a result of the participation process, everyone is impatient to begin with the implementation out in the field and reinforce Brussels nature and biodiversity now and for the future.

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Societal Importance of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening for Urban Living Prof. Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch, Head, Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, SLU, Sweden & professor, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, [email protected]

Keywords: cultural ecosystem services, social cohesion, place identity, research strategy

Abstract

An important global discourse in urban forestry and urban greening is that of the provision of ecosystem services. Moreover, there is greater interest from both research and practice in assessing, quantifying and valuing these urban ecosystem services. Here work on regulatory services such as climate change mitigation, air pollution reduction and stormwater management is dominant. Decision-‐support tools such as i-‐Tree also tend to focus on these services.

been strong within the social sciences and humanities. However, research on cultural ecosystem services of urban forests and other green components does not have the same presence in the literature, especially where service quantification and valuation are concerned. Most cultural ecosystem services are difficult to assess and especially quantify. Valuation will often have to be done in non-‐monetary terms.

This presentation reiterates the societal importance of urban forests and urban green spaces. Focus is on the state-‐of-‐art of research on cultural ecosystem services, with particular attention for so-‐far less-‐studied topics such as social cohesion and place identity. A case will be made for more research, as well as for better integration of knowledge on cultural ecosystem services in decision-‐making. Examples of how this can be achieved will be presented.


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A Structural Vision for the Sonian Forest cooperating for the largest urban forest in Belgium

Patrick Huvenne, Regional Manager, Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, Belgium, [email protected], www.natuurenbos.be, www.zonienwoud.be

Steven Vanonckelen, Projectcoordinator LIFE+ OZON, Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, Belgium, [email protected]

Anouschka Kuijsters, Project Supporter LIFE+ OZON, Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, Belgium, [email protected]

Gregory Reinbold, Green Area Division, Brussels Environment, Belgium, [email protected]

Jean-‐François Plumier, Head Forester, Department of Nature & Forest, Walloon Region, Belgium, [email protected]

Keywords: interregional cooperation, intersectoral cooperation, stakeholders, public participation

Abstract

The Sonian Forest consists of 4.400 hectares top European nature and is connected to Brussels. The total forest complex is more than 5.000 ha. It is the destination of several million visitors each year and the habitat of Natura 2000 species. In 1980, the management of the forest was transferred to the three Belgian regions: 56% to the Flemish Region, 38% to the Brussels-‐Capital Region and 6% to the Walloon Region. However, in 2008, the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels-‐Capital Regions decided to cooperate and better coordinate the various functions of the forest and its uses.

more intensively in order to strengthen the Sonian Forest. The cross-‐regional cooperation triggered the process to establish a recreational network and five gates where visitors will be welcomed in the forest and informed on Natura 2000, forest management and future projects. In order to enhance the mutual ecological, economic, and social


http://www.natuurenbos.be/

http://www.zonienwoud.be/





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benefits, more cooperative projects will start between the three regions, different users and municipalities involved in the forest.

The real innovation of the project are the collaborations with many stakeholderroads, universities, municipal and provincial

-‐term goal, we reach beyond our individual goals.

Result of the common efforts

Between 2005 and 2008, a common structural vision for the Sonian forest was prepared, which was sealed by a Memorandum of the three ministers in 2009. This structural vision delineated an ecological structure based on research and analysis. Five themes were developed in the structural vision, which were in turn translated into concrete actions: (1) Strengthening the core zone and ecological biodiversity of the

forest;

(2) Steering recreation towards well-‐developed recreational gates in the interest of visitors and nature;

(3) Ecological networks linking the forest with the surrounding environment;

(4) Limiting the distortions and spatial fragmentation by infrastructure;

(5) Working towards one recognizable identity of the forest by harmonizing the different regional approaches.

The first theme ensured a stronger protection of the most sensitive ecological areas, including the expansion of nature reserves. More specifically, the adapted management of rare habitats was anchored in the management plans.

Secondly, the cross-‐regional collaboration was the start of a process to achieve a recreational network in the Sonian Forest. Therefore, the reception of visitors is concentrated in five entrances to the forest, which are maximally accessible by public transport. The recreational

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gates are pleasant places to stay, with leisure and eating facilities, so that the local economy can profit from it. The recreational gates Red Monastery in Oudergem and Spanish House in Tervuren were realized between 2010-‐2013. Moreover, studies on future recreational gates in Groenendaal and Watermael-‐Boitsfort have started in 2014.

Thirdly, the connection between the Sonian Forest and the surrounding ecological network was improved between 2010-‐2014. For example, the HORIZON project of different partners started in 2014 to enhance the connectivity between the Sonian Forest and the surrounding municipalities.

Fourthly, the ecological fragmentation of the forest was tackled. Since 2010, the fragmentation was improved by the construction of infrastructures such as a wildlife crossing or ecoduct, tunnels and bat caves in 2011-‐2012, a tree bridge in 2013 and amphibian tunnels in 2014-‐2015. Moreover, the LIFE+ OZON project will build an extra wildlife crossing and 3 tunnels in 2015-‐2016.

Finally, the evolution of different regional approaches towards a common vision was realized by the development of a unified and recognizable identity of the forest. In the period 2010-‐2011, a corporate identity was designed which has been in use by the three regions for several years now. This style is part of a joint communication strategy that is translated into four languages and a unified communication that includes:

An inter-‐regional walking brochure of 2012, the first joint information folder of the Sonian Forest since 1993. Every year, an update of this folder is developed and printed;

The official website of the forest in four languages (http://www.sonianforest.be/);

A magazine (twice a year)

A participatory approach to promote an environmentally friendly attitude to visitors: a shared folder 'XII works of the Sonian Forest' with behavior rules (2014);

A new and consistent design for forest furniture and information panels.

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Commitment of other policy domains

The preparation of a common vision for the Sonian Forest involved intense collaboration between the three administrative regions. This

federal state: each region and administration has its own habits, rules and regulations. The intensified cooperation started in 2005 by organizing a steering committee every two months. Moreover, a consultation group which consisted of local governments and other responsible administrations started to meet annually. This resulted in improved collaboration in many projects. For example, foresters cooperated to collect data for the yearly deer inventories.

, the most exceptional result of our collaboration was the involvement and commitment of other policy domains. Several domains outside the nature sector were willing to cooperate in many projects. In 2015, the Flemish Heritage Institute started a new project to support the UNESCO recognition by the employment of a research team. Moreover, six ministers of the respective governments of Belgium have signed an interregional agreement in 2014 to nominate the Sonian Forest as UNESCO World Heritage. Since February 2015, Sonian is on the tentative UNESCO list.

Furthermore, several domains even independently started with new projects on the Sonian Forest. In the context of defragmentation, the Agency for Roads and Traffic conducted a study on defragmentation measures in the forest (2009). Afterwards, the Agency was eager to participate in new projects such as LIFE+ OZON. This would not have been possible without the collaboration mentioned above.

On top of that, the collaboration has extended to all regional and (inter)national levels. This is even exceptional in a European context. This is the real innovation of the project: the start of consultations of

The collaboration with stakeholders was anchored in an official participatory platform in 2012 which allows public participation and concrete actions. For example, a working group was established which stimulated structural collaboration between associations working around Sonian. These associations would normally not interact due to the language barrier. It is the intention of the forest managers to

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anchor this unique and versatile form of collaboration structurally in an innovative open structure: the Sonian Forest Foundation. This structure will support the further process of consultation and collaboration. Political consultations were conducted in 2014 to start the Foundation in 2015 or 2016.

Conclusions

The spatial and ecological well-‐founded common vision has led to a sustainable nature enhancement

and involvement in the forest:

1. important investments that strengthen the forest internally;

2. an improved protection of the different sections of the Sonian Forest;

3. external forest expansion;

4. a wider support and creation of the 'Sonian Forest-‐community';

5. a broader network of organisations and administrations that invest in the forest.

Finally, the success story in the Sonian Forest sends an important signal to the society: inter-‐regional cooperation, or in a broader sence: cooperation between administrative and political entities and levels is possible and improves nature conservation

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LIFE+ OZON project defragmentates the Sonian Forest Steven Vanonckelen, Projectcoordinator LIFE+ OZON, Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, Belgium, [email protected]

Anouschka Kuijsters, Project Supporter LIFE+ OZON, Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, Belgium, [email protected]

Keywords: Natura 2000, LIFE+, ecotunnel, fragementation, biodiversity hotspot, ecoduct

Abstract

Despite its great natural structure and high level of (protected*) biodiversity, the Sonian forest is divided in several smaller entities which are separated by harsh barriers such as roads and railways. In the last decade, the Brussels part of the Sonian Forest worked hard to counter the fragmentation by the railway Brussels-‐Luxembourg. A wildlife crossing, ecotunnel and tunnels for mixed use (animals and pedestrians) now help to reduce the fragmentation of the forest. The LIFE + OZON (Ontsnippering ZONiënwoud) project, which was officially launched in October 2013, gives a new boost to the defragmentation of the entire Sonian forest.

During the next 3 years, the OZON project will reconnect the natural habitats of the Sonian Forest by constructing several environmental infrastructures such as a wildlife crossing. By connecting the habitats of the animals in the forest again, animals will be able to migrate without having to cross the existing roads which will greatly improve road safety. OZON realizes several green infrastructures (e.g. a wildlife crossing and ecotunnels), increases the nature-‐friendliness of local forest management (e.g. by restoring forest edges along the Brussels Ringroad) and redirects recreation to less sensitive areas.



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A budget of 6.7 million euro is available to finance the defragmentation of the Sonian Forest, of which the EU will contribute half. In addition to the Agency for Nature and Forest, the Agency for Roads and Traffic and Brussels Environment, also the municipalities Hoeilaart, Tervuren and Overijse and the Department of Environment, Nature and Energy of the Flemish government will finance parts of the project. Recently, the OZON project also received symbolic support of UNEP.

For further information you can visit the website http://www.zonienwoud.be/lifeozon/

*Natura 2000 species living in the area are e.g.: Daubenton's Bat (Myotis daubentonii), Leisler's Bat (Nyctalus leisleri), European pine marten (Martes martes), Ground beetle (Carabus coriaceus), Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber).

http://www.zonienwoud.be/lifeozon/

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European Funding for Urban Nature: an Overview Rik De Vreese, BOS+ Vlaanderen ngo, [email protected], www.bosplus.be

Clive Davies, MD Consulting Ltd, [email protected]

Keywords: project funding, grant writing

Abstract

The presentation will give a concise overview of European funding schemes with anchor points towards urban forestry, green infrastructure and urban greening. Europe offers a whole range of funding schemes, some very strict and topic-‐oriented, others rather broad and open to innovative ideas. The presentation will include a discussion of environment-‐oriented funds such as LIFE+, but also openings within e.g. InterReg of ERASMUS+ will be discussed.

We will also very briefly touch upon challenges and threats to grant writing for European projects, not in the least finding co-‐financing.


http://www.bosplus.be/

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Crowdfunding and social innovation activating private capital for afforestation and sustainable forest management Bert De Somviele, BOS+ Vlaanderen ngo, [email protected], www.bosplus.be

Keywords: private capital, venture philantrophy, fundraising, social media

Abstract

This presentation will tell the story of BOS+, a rather small but ambitious environmental NGO focussing on forest and trees in Flanders (Northern Belgium) and Latin-‐America. We strive for forest conservation, afforestation and sustainable and multiple forest use.

In a climate of increasing threats to forests, and within the emerging need to protect woods for climate regulation, BOS+ was confronted with a rather high dependency of public funds for achieving its goals. In a timeframe of less than 10 year however, we achieved to broaden the funding base and saw public funding decreasing from 65% to 35% of our annual income.

The reason for this shift in funding sources was only to a limited extent related to the global economic crisis. The shift is also related to a more intense and dynamic communication model, in which we apply cooperate communication methods and make use of the potential of social media. This move resulted in a broader network of sympathizers within civil society organisations and private companies, people who feel a sympathy for the trees and forests around us, e.g. within the 10 million tree campaign we are running in Flanders.

It is only recent that Belgium and Flanders arrived into the era of austerity. BOS+ is rather well prepared to the serious decline in public funds for NGOs and nature-‐related projects and activities. Nevertheless, it is still a challenge to activate our sympathizers and to raise the funds we need for fulfilling our mission.


http://www.bosplus.be/

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Subsession

1a. Sustaining the green infrastructure

Parallel Sessions Theme 1. Fragmented urban green infrastructure and its multiple function, and strategic approaches to deal with this

Subsession 1a. Sustaining the green infrastructure (Attick/Zolder)

Mitigating climate change: the role of urban green infrastructure in offsetting carbon emissions in 35 major Chinese cities Wendy Chen, The University of Hong Kong, [email protected]

Keywords: urban green infrastructure, climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration

Abstract The carbon balance in urban areas has become a major research challenge and a principal policy concern in efforts to address anthropogenic climate change. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in China urge the search for integrated strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, which not only limit to traditional infrastructure sectors, but also cover urban green infrastructure, because plants and soils function as carbon sinks through biotic sequestration. This study presents a nationwide study about how urban green infrastructure could contribute to the carbon balance in 35 major Chinese cities. By the end of 2010, the total area of urban green spaces (the dominant components of urban green infrastructure) accounts for 6.38% of the total land area of these cities and represented 51.7% of the total urban green spaces of all 657 cities in China. Based on empirical data from the literature, the total amount of carbon stored in the vegetation of the urban green infrastructure of 35 cities was estimated at 18.7 million tons, with an average carbon density of 21.34 t/ha. In 2010, the amount of carbon sequestration totaled 1.90 million tons with an average carbon sequestration rate of 2.16 t/ha/year. Collectively, only 0.33% of the carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion can be offset, ranging from 0.01% in Hohhot to 22.45% in Haikou. Nevertheless, the dominance of young vegetation stands in Chinese urban green infrastructure suggests this small carbon sequestration


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efficiency could become substantial in the near future, given that appropriate policies and management practices are adopted to promote urban green infrastructure for climate change mitigation.

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Fragmentation and rehabilitation of urban forests in relation to new town development C.Y. Jim, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, [email protected], http://geog.hku.hk/staff_FT_jim.html

Keywords: Urban forest, Peri-‐urban forest, Forest fragmentation, Forest restoration, Forest patch coalescence, Plantation forest

Abstract

Hong Kong has experienced fast population growth in recent decades that demands corresponding intensification of land use in existing city areas and its countryside envelope. New towns have been built since the 1970s on previous rural lands occupied by villages, farms and adjacent hillslopes, in tandem with new lands created by reclamation from the sea using earth fills. Due to the rugged hilly topography, new town development involves sprawling up the slopes which may contain valuable forests. The massive urban growth of nine new towns accommodating 2 million people has brought extensive intrusion into farmlands and natural hill slopes, and imposed widespread influence on pre-‐urbanization natural and cultural vegetation. The conservation policy emphasizes protecting areas of high ecological value, which include woodlands dominated by native and mature trees. Recently, the urban planning mindset and practice have shifted to a sympathetic and synergistic attitude towards the natural landscape, especially at the city-‐countryside interface. The study aimed at tracking the changes in the distribution and pattern of forest canopy cover before and after the inception of Tai Po new town development in 1979 using sequential aerial photographs, maps and documents. The following aspects of the urban tree cover were explored: nature and magnitude of the positive and negative vegetation changes, geometric pattern and distribution of forest cover dynamics, fragmentation and coalescence of forest patches, present forest condition and performance, and factors and processes leading to vegetation modification and restoration. The spatial variations in forest cover were characterized by patch geometry and size, and evaluated in relation to the different stages and forms of new town development. Both the core urban areas (urban forest) and the countryside hinterland (peri-‐urban forest) were studied. The concepts of precision land use zoning, green infilling and assisted relay


http://geog.hku.hk/staff_FT_jim.html

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floristic in urban forestry work were proposed. The implications of the findings to the preservation and creation of high quality nature in compact urban development were discussed. The forest restoration could contribute to carbon sequestration and climate-‐change adaptation in the quest for sustainable development. The findings and implications of the case study could throw light on nature conservation and restoration associated with new towns developments in the developing world.

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Forest in the City - City in the Forest - How planning principles in forestry could be applied to urban trees in cities and towns Astrid Hamm, Citybranchings, Germany, [email protected], http://www.citybranchings.com

Keywords: urban tree protection, forestry strategies, sustainable urban tree development, urban human wellbeing

Abstract

In forestry, a change of attitude over the past decades has successfully lead to positive developments of recreational and commercially used forests. A tendency towards a higher complexity in forests including species, structural, and age diversity has shown effective development of stable and sustainable forests capable to face current and future challenges of climate change. However, the situation is quite different for urban trees not part of a forest, such as street and avenue trees, or individual trees in urban parks and gardens. Increasing coverage of soils with impervious materials and land consumption by housing and commercial/ industrial development, and the infrastructure along with it, are adding cumulative pressures on urban tree survival. Along with various negative effects of climate change, urban tree living and survival conditions are decreasing rapidly. More and more old trees in urban areas are removed for urban development, or because they have been damaged and, therefore, are -‐ or are perceived to be -‐ dangerous. Although many trees have been planted during the past 30 years, more than 50% of these will not reach their mature age, due to extensive damages they already experience at a young age. To sustain an adequate urban forest in highly urbanised areas, administrators and planers may have to consider new strategies in order to deal with these issues, using various principles forestry has successfully applied over the past decades. This presentation will outline current problems, and how a change of strategy towards a more sustainable urban forest in the urban landscape could meet future challenges and ensure urban human wellbeing.


http://www.citybranchings.com/

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Key references Arens, D. (2010). Der Deutsche Wald, Fackelträger-‐Verlag Köln, Germany 2010 Balder H., Ehlebracht K., Mahler E. (1997). Strassenbäume. Patzer Verlag, Berlin, Germany. 1. Auflage September 1997

Baron, U., Lenk, E., Hercher, W. (2005): Plenterwald, ein Spross aus Bauernwald und Weißtanne. Forstliche Versuchs-‐ und Forschungsanstalt Baden-‐Württemberg (FVA) Germany 2005

Bruce R. F. New Concepts for Street Tree Planting. The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co. Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories Corporate Headquarters

Hartje, V. (2013). Grüne Infrastruktur -‐ Modethema oder ein relevanter Bereich der Infrastrukturdiskussion ? Technische Universität Berlin Germany 2013

Stiftung DIE GRÜNE STADT (2014). Bäume in der Stadt. Stiftung DIE GRÜNE STADT Düsseldorf Germany 2014

Wolf K. (1998). Urban Forest Values: Economic Benefits of Trees in Cities. Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington, USA 1998

Zingg, A. (2003): Dauerwald -‐ ein neues altes Thema der Waldwachstumsforschung. -‐ Inf.bl. Forsch.bereich Wald 15: 1-‐3. Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL Bestandesdynamik und Waldbau Switzerland 2003

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The tree lined streets as green areas connectors Txomin Diaz, Spain, Provincial Council of Biscay, Forest Service, [email protected], http://www.bizkaia.net

Keywords: tree lined streets, fragmentations, green corridors

Abstract

When my daughter was a baby and I was going for a walk with her, I used to listen a song composed by Ron Sexsmith, a Canadian musician.

beauty all year around... Later on, we moved to one of those streets with big and old trees, the kind of street that looks like a forest. That made me I understand lyrics much better and I share more deeply feelings of the songwriter.

In the process of city planning green areas appear in pieces, in fragments, in form of gardens, parks, squares, groves, roundabouts, etc. and in most of the cases, the green infrastructure we find is scattered, inaccessible, disconnected and unequally divided.

In order to enhance the situation in cities from the environmental point of view and to deal with the lack of green areas´ connectivity, I think that it is more important to provide the streets with trees than to increase the number and size of the green areas that already exist.

Streets are communication channels of our cities. They are places where we move and walk and the nearest places from the houses where we live. Properly designed and wooded streets could play the role of green corridors, giving a bigger coherence and solving the problem of fragmentation.

In that way, if streets become a relevant part of the urban green infrastructure, the spatial distribution of the green areas would change remarkably and it would become more compact, accessible, organized, equitable. It would be like setting a green net over the city map and it means that citizens interested in enjoying the nature wouldn´t have to go to the park or gardens but to enjoy simply by walking in the street where they live.


http://www.bizkaia.net/

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I am a forest engineer and I work in management of the public mountains. At my work I usually need to reforest mountains that previously have been cut, to restore the vegetal coverage of degraded areas and to enhance the general situation of mountains. The present communication is based on my professional experience and I have proposed some forest measures to be applied in urban areas with a goal to reforest streets of our cities

Urban Forestry in Pristina and i-Tree assessment Sami Kryeziu, Kosovo

Keywords: Urban areas, ownership, type of trees, fund of trees. CO2, SO2

Abstract

With the growth of the world population there is increased demands for green space and trees in urban areas. At the same time, Kosovo is faced with growing urban pressure with construction of new and larger buildings, and loss of green space as a result of a growing population, especially in the cities. The main goals of this research has been to investigate the current value of trees in Pristina, the species composition, the number of trees, the distribution in term of public and private ownership, and among other things, how much CO2, and SO2 is absorbed by trees. The investigation was done using the city of Chicago as a model. The method of sampling was been randomized, Google Earth applied to locate sample points, and the US Forest Service software program used for data processing. The investigation was carried out during the year 2014.

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Theme 1. Fragmented urban green infrastructure and its multiple function, and strategic approaches to deal with this

Subsession 1b. Monitoring and inventory (Attick/Zolder)

The mobile monitoring of the temperature of districts and green areas in the urban context through the use of bicycles Simone Parisi, Accademia Italiana di Scienze Forestali -‐ University of Milano, Italy, [email protected]

Giovanni Sanesi, University of Bari DISAAT, Italy, [email protected], www.greenspace.it

Gabriela Cola, University of Milano, Italy, [email protected]

Raffaele Lafortezza, University of Bari, Italy, [email protected]

Giuseppe Colangelo, University of Bari DISAAT, Italy, [email protected]

Luigi Mariani, Accademia Italiana di Scienze Forestali, Italy, [email protected]

Keywords: Heat Island Effect, Urban temperature mapping, Green spaces cooling effect

Abstract

The use of multiple bicycles in micrometeorological monitoring allows to obtain precise and synchronous data which are useful for describing the urban microclimate where various structures are present: urban parks, urban canyons with different building-‐road height/width ratios. In this context we provide the case of the Metropolitan area of Milan. The monitoring activities presented in this work took place during the summer of 2014 in Parco Nord Milano and the neighboring urban areas of Cinisello Balsamo and the district of Milan Bicocca. The course transects were structured to allow a double passage at each point of the area, yielding more robust measures. The monitoring covered a 24-‐



http://www.greenspace.it/





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hour period characterized by high pressure, hence low breezes, winds and intense solar radiation. The measurements were conducted from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. with observation every 2 hours. The transect bike route was 9 km long, a journey time of 40 minutes and with a total mileage of over 70 km. High-‐precision thermometers with very low response time (c -‐PT100 sensors) were used for the micrometeorological survey, The thermometers were protected by a solar shield and equipped with data loggers (10-‐second sampling time). These instruments were placed on the bicycles to acquire 20-‐meter-‐step temperature data. The data collected during the experimental survey demonstrated the significant cooling action of the park in the wooded area where during the hottest hours of the day the temperature falls by about 3°C compared to areas exposed to direct solar radiation. In urban canyons, soon after sunset, the transfer of sensible heat from built surfaces was very slow. In this period the heat island registered maximum values in numerical terms, exceeding a 5°C difference between the temperatures measured in the urban park and those measured in the central area of Cinisello.

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Urban Forests in Europe What can National Forest Inventories tell us? Anders Busse Nielsen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, [email protected], http://www.ign.ku.dk

Nathalie Gulsrod, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, [email protected]

Mariagrazia Agrimi, University of Tuscia, Italy, [email protected]

Robert Hostnik, Slovenian Forest Service, Slovenia, [email protected]

Fabio Salbitano, University of Florence, Italy, [email protected]

Naomi Zurcher, International Society of Arboriculture, Switzerland, [email protected]

Keywords: Governance, GreenInUrbs, Policy, National Forest inventory, Urban woodlands

Abstract

Urban areas are expanding their influence on an increasingly large proportion of forested land located in and around cities and towns. These forested lands are normally referred to as Urban Forest. It is currently thought that Urban Forests are under-‐represented in policy and practice. Data to quantify and characterize the resource are still, by and large, lacking or fragmentary. An expansion of National Forest Inventories (NFI) to include Urban Forests will be a major step forward in their recognition, preservation and protection. Inclusion of Urban Forests in NFI would be in line with the evolution of forest inventories as multipurpose resource surveys, broadening their scope to include additional variables and to encompass non-‐traditional components.

The COST Action FP1204 GreenInUrbs (www.greeninurbs.com) has therefore initiated a pan-‐European survey to establish a baseline understanding of how urban forest resources are either considered or presently recorded in National Forest Inventories. This research is the first attempt to create such a comprehensive overview. Preliminary results show that in many countries, valid national overviews of the woodland component of urban forest resources can be established by


http://www.ign.ku.dk/






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extracting and analyzing existing data from the NFI. The presentation will describe and assess:

The type of data parameters that can be extracted from current NFI data sets and their validity compared to urban planners, -‐foresters and -‐

Recommend cost-‐effective expansions of NFI methodologies

encompassment of urban forests.

Suggest standards /procedures for a comprehensive definition of the urban forest and its data collection.

The results can inform and support potential future expansion of National Forest Inventories to include urban forests and to recognize their critical contribution to the quality of the urban environment and the well-‐being of urban dwellers.

The survey is supported by European Environment Agency (EEA), European Forest Institute (EFI), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Nordic-‐Baltic Centre of Advanced Research on Forestry Serving Urbanised Societies II (CARe-‐FOR-‐US)

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Monitoring of the urban forest - implementation and realization of the project. A case study of Poznan (Poland) Sandra Wajchman, University of Life Sciences, Poland, [email protected]

Roman Jaszczak, University of Life Sciences, Poland, [email protected]

Keywords: urban forest, multiple function of urban forest, monitoring of forest environment

Abstract

protective forests. In the case of urban forests a particular problem is the lack of proper legal regulations and authorizations the Forest Service, the inability of obtaining funds from the forest fund for environmental education and tourism development. The other problems that occur are connected with the main function of these areas which is recreation (eg. littering and devastation of infrastructure). A relatively new problem is motocross racing in the forests.

The project of urban forests' monitoring is the new tool to deal with the fragmented urban green infrastructure and its multiple function. It is led by the Department of Forestry Management of University of Life Sciences and the forest administrator -‐

The specificity of urban forests and stressful factors result in the need to monitoring the condition of the forest in order to observe the changes taking place in it.

Main goals of the project:

determination of the spatial differentiation of forest stand damage degree,



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identification and analysis of cause and effect relationships between a health condition of forest stands and biotic and abiotic features of the environment,

assessment of silviculture system,

indication short-‐term (for the next few years) forecasts of changes in forest health.

Due to the fact that the project concerns the urban forests, there have been identified also other fields of activities, eg.:

inventory and evaluation of tourism and recreational development,

identification, inventory and restoration of degraded areas.

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Subsession 2a. Urban forest users and stakeholders, their perceptions and the role of communication (Zinnerzaal)

User conflicts and awareness of climate change in an urban forest the case study of the Grunewald in Berlin, Germany Neele Larondelle, PIK Postdam and HU Berlin, Germany, [email protected]

Dagmar Haase, HU Berlin and UFZ Leipzig, Germany, [email protected]

Keywords: Urban forest, Berlin, climate change, local stakeholders, forest visitors, survey

Abstract

This talk presents results of a large survey conducted in Grunewald, a 3000 ha forest area in the South-‐West of Berlin, Germany. The survey was developed in close cooperation with the local forestry administration and aimed at uncovering user specific needs and climate change related conflicts. The results were analyzed in order to build up an improved communication strategy between the administration and users, which in the past proved to be difficult.

The survey, conducted in summer 2014 in the field and during entire 2014 also as a complementary online version, sheds light on questions around the urban forest stakeholder

More than 1300 valid answers have been analyzed, making it possible to

1. Identify and characterize different user groups,

2. Identify knowledge gaps concerning local forestry measurements for users,

3. Identify reasons for a urban forest visit and,

4. Detect needs for infrastructure and information, and



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5. Reflect on used methods.

Some very interesting findings include (1) reasons for a visit very much coincide with especially forest-‐related properties, while wishes for infrastructure reveal the wish towards a managed green space; (2) the awareness of climate change and respective forestry measurements is critically low on the local level and (3) answers taken from the field differ significantly from this taken online in various respects and suggest a mix of method as a major advantage for future studies.

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Perception of Forest Management in Urban Woodlands Gerd Lupp, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected], http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.wzw.tum.de/

Lea Seidel, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected]

Stefanie Raab, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected]

Claudia Käufer, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected]

Valerie Kantelberg, Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, Germany, [email protected], http://www.lwf.bayern.de/

Günter Weber, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, [email protected]‐muenchen.de, http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.tum.de

Stephan Pauleit, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected], http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.tum.de

Keywords: Integrated mutlifunctional forest management, Timber harvesting, Perception, Lay public

Abstract

Management objectives for state owned urban woodlands in Munich are to integrate sustainable timber production, nature conservation and recreation for almost all forest stands. In qualitative interviews with foresters in charge of urban woodlands, a number of challenges and conflicts for this integrated management including recreation were reported. Conflicts with recreationists mainly arise from timber harvesting activities. We studied the perception of such logging activities to detect the perception and attitudes of lay persons. A planned logging in the north of Munich (Hasenbergl) was selected for the study in November 2014. The logging took place in a forest situated in between a residential area with high-‐rise blocks and a motorway. Interviews with recreationists passing by were conducted during the


http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.wzw.tum.de/





http://www.lwf.bayern.de/


http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.tum.de/



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three days of harvesting. Almost all interviewees were regular visitors to this place, 58% claimed being in this forest every day. 31% stated, that they did not made an observation, 28% of the interviewees noted

recreation activity Directly asked, 49 % were neutral to the logging activities, 31 % perceived it negative and 20% considered it positive. Forest management activities were announced in the local newspapers and an information leaflet was put close to the trail. 42 % felt informed, 42 % didn´t and 16 % gave no statements. Most of the interviewees consider water and air purification to be the most important feature of this forest, recreation ranked second, nature conservation third, timber production is important only for 5%. The main threat for this forest was seen in being logged for new infrastructure and housing or damaged by

communication of state forest authorities, the interviewees only had

results indicate a demand for better and improved communication with recreationists as well as more involvement of local people in the management of the neighboring forests. Communication strategies therefore should emphasize on necessary management activities to preserve the goods and services of urban woodlands.

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Indicators of urban forests' ecosystem services: a communication tool for connecting local stakeholders, citizens and forest administrations? Marion Jay, Professur für Forst-‐ und Umweltpolitik, Albert-‐Ludwigs-‐Universität Freiburg, Germany, [email protected]‐freiburg.de

Andy Selter, Professur für Forst-‐ und Umweltpolitik, Albert-‐Ludwigs-‐Universität Freiburg, Germany, [email protected]‐freiburg.de

Ulrich Schraml, Forstliche Versuchs-‐ und Forschungsanstalt Baden-‐Württemberg, Germany, [email protected]

Keywords: -‐Westphalia, Participation, Communication instruments

Abstract

Urban forest ecosystems provide many goods and services that influence the well-‐being of city populations, such as clean air or water, open spaces for recreation, reduced effects of urban heat islands, mitigation of the impact of extreme flood events on settlements and infrastructure, carbon sequestration etc.

Urban forest ecosystem services rely on complex correlations between various ecosystem components and the interactions and trade-‐offs with other urban ecosystems. The project presented here targets at representing these highly complex ecosystem services in an understandable way for a broader public. For this purpose, indicators for some ecosystem services of the urban forest have been developed jointly with experts from various institutions. Adequate indicators, the involved experts believe, should enable cities and their administration to better communicate about the outstanding services urban forests can provide for the well-‐being of citizens. Such indicators could be used as a means of support in discussions or round tables, especially during public participation processes or involvement of different groups of laypersons or experts.




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The project grounds in the participative TEEB-‐methodology (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) that seeks at a better integration of ecosystem services in local and regional decision making. In North Rhine-‐Westphalia, four pilot cities between ca. 110.000 and one million inhabitants take part in the present project: Bochum, Essen, Remscheid and Cologne. Experts in the fields of forest management, water, climate, health, environmental education and biodiversity worked together during local meetings to discuss upon and rank suitable indicators for various ecosystem services. Afterwards the results were analysed and discussed during a regional meeting involving the local experts, the Ministry of environment, climate,

representatives of other North Rhine-‐Westphalian cities.

Based on the revised indicators, the ecosystem services were exemplary assessed and displayed in a geographic information system. During a second regional meeting, the maps and results were critically reviewed. Three main aspects are of greater importance: Do the indicators strengthen communication with and consciousness of the city population and stakeholders for the various services provided by urban forests? Do they strengthen the position of the city forest administrations and the role ecosystem services play in local and regional decision making processes? Can indicators be a useful planning tool for prioritising measures and actions at city level?

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Shades of Green: clarifying terminological ambiguities in urban forestry to enable citizens, stakeholders and local communities to understand how to garden for urban sustainability Sue Hobley, University of Sydney, Australia, [email protected]

Keywords: sustainability, urban forestry, green, gardening practices

Abstract

It is well-‐appreciated that the urban forest plays a key role in urban sustainability. Nevertheless, the origins of many environmental problems lie in historical landscaping practices that remain popular today. Connecting people with urban green infrastructure and the urban forest must therefore address unsustainable gardening traditions. This presentation focuses on the problematic English word green which is commonly used to mean environmentally beneficial and frequently applied to activities and concepts involving urban forest resources. Green has several common meanings that describe landscape approaches that are not necessarily sustainable and this can leads to confusion and conflicts about what sustainability involves. The presentation discusses the origins of meanings of green that arose historically in relation to urban forestry practices and evaluates those practices against the principles of sustainability. It shows that different meanings relate to particular choices about plant resources that have very different outcomes in terms of sustainability. The origins of significant environmental problems relate to historical practices in urban forestry that are still popular today and continue to cause environmental degradation in cities like Sydney, Australia. This calls for a clearly defined term in urban forestry that establishes the criteria that are to be met for a concept or action to be classed as green under the paradigm of sustainability.


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Subsession 2b. Governance, planning, regeneration and partnerships perspectives (Van Wilderzaal)

Trees and Woods in Scottish Towns: Pressures and opportunities at local government level Alexander van der Jagt, Forest Research, UK, [email protected]

Anna Lawrence, Forest Research, UK, [email protected]

Keywords: urban forestry, community participation, local government, proactive management

Abstract

In a time where an increasing body of evidence demonstrates the economic, environmental and health benefits of urban trees and woodlands, local governments in Scotland face severe budget pressures. Local authorities are the major landowners in many cities and a key actor in urban forest governance (Lawrence, De Vreese et al., 2013). Consequently, there are likely to be tensions between statutory requirements, mainly focused on managing risk, and proactive management of the urban forest. Direct evidence to support such a claim is, however, lacking. In partnership with stakeholders from Forestry Commission Scotland, Arboricultural Association and several Scottish local authorities, the Trees and Woods in Scottish Towns (TWIST) study aimed to provide an insight into the state of urban tree management in Scotland.

We identified a need for research in the following key areas: a) the location of urban trees and their extent, b) the ownership of trees, and c) the condition of urban trees. Insights were also needed into the current staff and financial resources allocated to tree management by local authorities. We employed a mixed-‐methods approach to address these questions. This comprised semi-‐structured interviews with tree officers of nine local authorities regarding tree management in specific



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towns, varying in size and age of tree stock, and a document analysis. In addition, we also carried out a short survey that was distributed to all 32 Scottish local authorities (response rate: 68.8%). This had a strong overlap with the Trees in Towns II survey capturing the situation in England (Britt & Johnston, 2008).

A number of key findings emerged from data analysis, together painting a sobering picture of the state of urban tree management in Scotland: (1) trees tend to be perceived as a liability, not as an asset, resulting in reactive tree management, (2) data on trees is limited, incomplete and difficult to access, and (3) budgets, already experienced to be inadequate, are further dwindling. On a positive note, the majority of local authorities engage in multiple activities focused on involving communities in urban trees and woodlands. Opportunities for improving the current situation through knowledge exchange, development of town-‐specific tree and woodland management plans, valuation of socio-‐economic tree benefits and community-‐led tree and woodland management are identified.

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What time is this space?-the role that trees can play in reclaiming our urban streets as places and destinations for our culture, creativity and community Alan Simson, Leeds Beckett University, UK, [email protected], www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Keywords: urban streets, urban forestry, green streets, community

Abstract

In his book What Time is this Place?, Kevin Lynch [1976] suggested that our sense of place is inextricably meshed with our sense of time, this being a biological rhythm that may follow a very different beat than that dictated by 'official' time and place. This biological rhythm affects the way we human beings view change, especially change in our physical environment, and particularly that in our towns and cities.

City streets are the most fundamental of our shared public spaces, but they are also amongst the most contested and overlooked. We take it for granted that so many of them are primarily areas for motor vehicles, parking and transport -‐ places where people are deemed to be of secondary importance. This used not to be the case -‐ even a relatively few years ago, streets were the prime constituent of the public realm in cities, where social, political, cultural and commercial uses were to the fore, and which very much shaped and influenced our personal and mental physical landscapes. You only have to look at the names of our older streets -‐ history, places, famous local people and events and other matters of local significance were all recorded in the names of our streets.

Cities are changing rapidly as the 21st century progresses however, and along with these changes is a change in our urban streets, the role they play in the everyday lives of people, the activities that take place there and our expectations of experiential quality. Streets are returning to be places of social interaction, but unlike the streets of history, these new streets function best if they include elements of urban forestry as part of that experiential quality.


http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/

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This illustrated paper will present action research associated with the concept of 'Green Streets', a series of projects currently being planned and implemented in several parts of the UK, sometimes in conjunction with public transport routes, where street trees, other tree planting, rain gardens, green roofs and wall, urban orchards, natural habitats and green ways are all deployed with the help of local communities to rejuvenate their public realms, and return their streets back into places -‐ destinations for culture, creativity and community. Trees are now deemed to be LVLO's in the city -‐ 'largest visual living organisms', and demand the appropriate respect for carrying out this role.

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Reconnecting Bankside Bankside Urban Forest Valerie Beirne, Better Banside, UK, [email protected], www.betterbankside.co.uk/buf

Keywords: Green Infrastructure, Mixed Communities, Business led, London, Regeneration Abstract

Roman times. Today the area is a dense inner London neighbourhood, which supports a thriving and mixed community of business, residential and cultural uses. Due in part to its geographic location, and its history as a primarily commercial district, the area is deficient in large green spaces, and in access to nature. Since 2000, the area has undergone massive culture-‐led regeneration,

the banks of the River Thames. Some 6,000 people live here, 60,000 people commute to work in Bankside every day, and annually well over 10,000,000 people visit the area. This recent large scale regeneration of Bankside, has meant rapid physical change in the neighbourhood and increased pressure on our existing network of streets and green spaces. In 2007, a strategy, Bankside Urban Forest, was developed in partnership between the public authorities, the local businesses and local residents, to plan for a better connected public realm across the area, to ensure that the economic, environmental and social benefits of regeneration were spread deeper into the surrounding areas, connecting to other areas of growth. 8 years on, the Bankside Urban Forest strategy continues to thrive as a long term programme of large and small projects that deliver multiple benefits from increased urban greening, to improved pedestrian environments, to temporary creative interventions, to improved biodiversity. This practice-‐based presentation will give an overview of how this innovative partnership and strategy came about, how the local business community is coordinating the partnership, and will outline the benefits it is bringing to local businesses, residents and visitors to the area. It will also give an insight to its future priorities and projects.


http://www.betterbankside.co.uk/buf

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Development of Urban Forests in Urban and Suburban Areas of Switzerland SUBURBFOR Michael Schulze, HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil, Switzerland, [email protected], www.gtla.hsr.ch

Keywords: Recreation forest, Suburban development, Good practices in Switzerland

Abstract

Settlement development in Switzerland over the past few decades caused great loss of landscape and intensified use of natural areas. This applies both to dense urban areas inside cities, as well as suburban growth areas. The densification of urban areas leads to an increase of the population's need for attractive open and green areas near settlements. Urban forest in the vicinity of settlements can provide an attractive opportunity for local recreation.

The leisure and recreational use of forests is growing and the evaluations of the importance of forests use have already been substantiated in many studies (BERNASCONI, SCHROFF 2008).

In the research project "S5-‐City. Agglomeration in the center", significance and perception of natural areas are examined in a densifying settlement region. Recreation areas are crucial for the

and should be the starting point for urban and suburban development (RAUCH-‐SCHWEGLER, BLUMER 2010).

The goal of the research project SUBURBFOR, with a duration of two years (2015 to 2016), is to establish, together with pilot municipalities, innovative blueprints for suburban recreation forests. As a COST (COST Action FP 1204) financed project under the leadership of Prof. Dr Susanne Karn, the different preferences of use of recreation areas and recreation forests, as well as possible relationships between forest management, design, and recreation, will be ascertained and compiled. Through a collection of good practices, a typology of recreation forests in Switzerland will be developed, and the conditions under which the types of forest in urban and particularly in suburban contexts can be applied will be examined. The next step is the coordination of the


http://www.gtla.hsr.ch/

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different types of forest with requirements of local recreation. It will develop quality criteria for urban forest concepts and recreation forests, and guidelines for interviews with experts. With the aid of actual experience with the requirements and user groups of recreation forests, test areas in Switzerland will be developed. Finally, innovative blueprints for suburban recreation forests will be established. The blueprints will be discussed in workshops with municipal and scientific partners. The goal is to draw conclusions for conception, design, and management of recreation forests, as well to set conditions for innovative urban forests and recreation forests in Switzerland. The results will be compiled as good practices and recommendations for the regional planning, realization and development of urban forests, and published as guidelines.

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World Urban Parks Dr. Anna Steidle, World Urban Parks, [email protected], www.worldurbanparks.org.

Keywords: umbrella organisation, think-‐thank, partnership Abstract World Urban Parks is the new international representative body for the urban parks, open space and recreation sector. It was created from IFPRA and Parks for Life. IFPRA was a unique international organisation, since 1957, providing a forum for people, organisations and cities managing parks, recreation, conservation, ecology and allied fields and fostering international and national cooperation. Parks for Life was an international alliance of professional and peak park and recreation associations from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. It had an interest in advocacy and aligning global activities, such as World Parks Day. WORLD URBAN PARKS is the organisation for the urban parks, open space and recreation community, for: national associations, government agencies, city departments, non-‐governmental organisations, universities & research institutions, businesses, community groups, professionals and community individuals, and allied sectors (health, tourism, & resource management) WORLD URBAN PARKS creates the World Community:

Advocating for access to urban parks, open space and recreation; researching and demonstrating the health and social benefits of urban parks; and promoting conservation and effective management of natural and cultural values to create healthy, liveable and sustainable communities and a healthy planet

-‐individuals to credibly advance and advocate for the cause of urban parks

Partnering with like-‐minded global bodies and sectors to advance common agendas.

WORLD URBAN PARKS is recognized as the global unified voice for urban parks, open space and recreation


http://www.worldurbanparks.org/

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Subsession 2c. Reconnecting Soils, Plants & People (Van Wilderzaal)

Quick Urban Forest: A Forest for the Cities of Southern Europe Susana Dominguez-‐Lerena, SDL Investigacion y Divulgacion del Medio Ambiente S.L., Spain, [email protected], http://www.sdlmedioambiente.com/

Rodrigo Gomez, CESEFOR, Spain, [email protected], www.cesefor.com

Carlota Tarin, ICLAVES, Spain, [email protected], www.iclaves.es

Rafael Rivera, ICLAVES, Spain, [email protected]

Dori Sanz, CESEFOR, Spain, [email protected]

Keywords: forestation, dissemination, technology

Abstract

The QUF (Quick Urban Forest) project is a European project, funded by the Life + Programme of the European Commission, which aims at contributing to the improvement of the life and environment of European urban industrial areas by testing and demonstrating the feasibility of combining forestation related techniques in degradated areas. These techniques, include the use of mycorrhiza and water retainers, with the objective of reducing watering requirements, increase biomass production and improve soil conditions. 30,000 plants of 6 mediterranean native species have been planted, between 2014 and 2015, using three kinds of treatments (mycorrhizal, retainers and both together) in demonstration site in the city of Valladolid.

The experimental design of the project consist in control plots and transepts in which survival and growth dynamics at tree-‐level are measured periodically. Apart from field data, the impact of the different treatments is tracked using automatic remote sensing techniques. Survival rate is calculated applying i) non-‐ parametric Cox model and Gompertz parametric model controlling the results by


http://www.sdlmedioambiente.com/


http://www.cesefor.com/


http://www.iclaves.es/



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control plot and ii) Kaplan Meier graphical model (adapted) to the gathered field data.

The results are being calculated at control plot level and transept level for i) each specie, ii) each treatment and iii) specie-‐treatment to analyse the variability and interaction among hierarchical levels. At species level, our previous results indicate that almond tree is the more robust presenting, as expected, high survival rate for the existing data period (starting in June 2014). However, the number of field observations is rather low comparing to the sensor data, so we expect to get more information in the coming months. At treatment level, the main finding is that, on average, Mycorrhiza is the less effective method and is only slightly significant comparing to Mixed (mycorrhiza and water retainer together) and Retainer which increase the survival rate between 40% and 50%.

In this phase of 3-‐year QUF project, we sum up the results concluding that the applied restoration techniques provide significant enhancements in Juniperus thurifera, Quercus faginea and Quercus ilex trees while Mycorrhiza is only effective for Quercus faginea. We have observed that the combination of both treatments, Mixed, do not improve water retainers efficiency even though the presence of mycorrhiza led us to expect better results for this treatment at first.

www.efuf2015.org


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Connecting Community and the Urban Forest: A Pilot Project of an Urban Forest Health Monitoring Volunteer Program in Oakville, Ontario, Canada Joe Meating, BioForest Technologies Inc., Canada, [email protected], www.bioforest.ca

Vanessa Chaimbrone, BioForest Technologies Inc., Canada, [email protected]

Allison Winmill, BioForest Technologies Inc., Canada, [email protected]

Allison Craig, BioForest Technologies Inc., Canada, [email protected]

Keywords: urban forestry, community engagement, early detection

Abstract

Urban forestry in Canada is very diverse and complex. Canada itself is composed of several forest regions ranging from montane to deciduous, spread from coast to coast across ten provinces and three territories. Within this large expanse, the vast majority of the population dwells in urban and peri-‐urban settings. As a result, urban forestry is becoming increasingly important to maintain the connection between people and nature, and the numerous ecosystem services trees provide. The urban forest is considered green infrastructure which requires long term management planning, maintenance, and monitoring to maximize its economic, environmental, and social returns. In order to increase awareness of urban forestry at the community level, BioForest Technologies Inc. has developed an Urban Forest Health Monitoring Volunteer Program (UFHMVP). A main goal of the program is to harness the enthusiasm of individuals passionate about the health of their local environment and provide a meaningful way to be involved. The UFHMVP is an adaptable model for municipalities, conservation authorities, neighbourhood associations, and woodlot owners. The program is a tool designed for reconnecting citizens and local communities with their urban forest. Through training and educational opportunities, participants are taught how to visually assess tree health. A hands-‐on active learning approach is used to teach basic forestry skills such as tree identification, visual assessment of stem and crown conditions, identification of local pests and diseases,


http://www.bioforest.ca/




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and detection of major disturbances. Volunteers are assigned trees near their property or in their neighbourhood, allowing them to be stewards of their resident trees. As a result, they develop the ability to discuss urban forestry issues with other community members and spread the word about the importance of healthy urban trees. In addition, trained volunteers can be an asset in the early detection of invasive pests. A primary goal of the program is for volunteers to develop a keen eye for forest health and become confident at identifying tree decline, not only when conducting the survey, but in everyday life activities. In 2014, a pilot of this program was launched in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. It generated a positive response with the community with 100% participant satisfaction. The program has a long term vision and will run again in 2015. Through participation in the UFHMVP, community members are able to make a positive contribution to the management, maintenance, and monitoring of their green infrastructure.

www.efuf2015.org


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Re-connecting plants and people: the restoration of Kinshasa botanic garden (Democratic Republic of Congo) Francesca Lanata, Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium, [email protected], www.botanicgarden.be

Steven Dessein, Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium, [email protected]

Keywords: botanic gardens, biodiversity, environmental education, landscaping, cooperation, capacity building, North South partnerships, DRC

Abstract

In the Democratic Republic of Congo about 40 million people depend on wild and cultivated plants for their daily needs. Nevertheless this natural capital is threatened by growing populations and by unsustainable economic activities. At the same time much traditional plant knowledge is lost due to urbanization.

For young urban African people, the first -‐ but quite often the only -‐ contact with nature is held in the green areas in the city.

The importance of educational and recreational functions of arboretums, botanical gardens and urban parks is becoming more and more important in Central Africa to raise awareness about nature conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity in central Africa cities.

During the past ten years, Botanic Garden Meise (MBG) played an important role in fundraising and implementing the restoration of major Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) gardens.

In March 2010, BGM started restoration work on the 7 ha garden in Kinshasa. This botanical garden, placed right in the centre of the town, used to plays an important educational role especially for young people but it was completely unmanaged. The activities in the garden could have a considerable impact on the perception on management of nature by future generations

MBG staff and an environmental NGO with the help of young people


http://www.botanicgarden.be/


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living in the slums and the streets adjacent to the garden implemented the restoration of the Garden. This work has shown a glimmer of hope that activities in botanical gardens can contribute to poverty reduction by creating jobs.

President Kabila reopened the Kinshasa garden in June 2010, as part of the celebrations to mark 50 years independence.

Botanic gardens in DRC are symbols of both hope and resilience. During the past thirty years Congolese botanists and technicians have worked under harsh conditions: infrastructure was all-‐but destroyed by its lack of maintenance or by war; living collections were left untended and needed urgent care; while government failed to allocate financial resources. Despite this, a core group of devoted researchers and technicipotential.

Efforts in all DRC gardens aim to reinforce education and awareness in a country hosting the second largest tropical forest in the world. The challenge for the coming years will be to support the gardens in a technical, scientific and financial way to fulfil their mandates.

www.efuf2015.org


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Theme 3. Natura2000 and the urban forest reconciling ecological qualities with urban use and urban impact (Attick/Zolder)

Impacts of Geocaching on Urban Woodlands Gerd Lupp, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected], http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.wzw.tum.de/

Martina Brockard, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected]

Markus Melber, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany, markus.melber@uni-‐greifswald.de, http://www.mnf.uni-‐greifswald.de/institute/fr-‐biologie.html

Valerie Kantelberg, Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, Germany, [email protected], http://www.lwf.bayern.de/

Günter Weber, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, [email protected]‐muenchen.de, http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.tum.de

Stephan Pauleit, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, TU München, Germany, [email protected], http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.tum.de

Keywords: Geocaching, urban woodlands, nature conservation, impacts, Natura 2000, Munich, Würzburg

Abstract

Starting in 2000, geocaching is now widespread all over the world with still growing numbers of players. In 2014, in Germany around 343.000 active geocachers are registered on the geocaching.com platform and around 327.000 different caches are available.

In our study, the use and impact of this recreation activity was assessed. The Forstenrieder Park, a forest and landscape protection area situated approximately 10 km south from the city center of Munich was selected as a study area. It is 3.700 ha in size and 45 caches


http://www.landschaftsentwicklung.wzw.tum.de/




http://www.mnf.uni-greifswald.de/institute/fr-biologie.html

http://www.mnf.uni-greifswald.de/institute/fr-biologie.html


http://www.lwf.bayern.de/





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caches were selected for a closer assessment. Each of these analyzed caches was logged between 0.12 and 0.55 times per day on average. Existing and possible impacts were documented and weighted, considering nature conservation issues such as trampling of vegetation, soil erosion, interference with wildlife, nesting birds and bats as well as interference of other recreationists.

Though the assessed geocaches in Forstenrieder Park seem to have little to moderate impacts on nature conservation issues, many examples of severe conflicts can be found. The Guttenberger Wald, an urban proximate forest 4-‐5 km away from Würzburg´s city center, is protected as a Natura 2000 site. Old and deadwood trees provide shelter for a huge variety of animal and plant species, e.g. bats and different fungi. In late 2012, a series of nine geocaches were detected on the geocaching.com platform. The locations of all those caches were on tree tops of a documented hom(Myotis bechsteinii). To access and log the caches, Geocachers had to climb these habitat trees using ropes and harnesses. All of those nine caches had been logged in average 23.6 times (± 3.9) within 35 days after being published, which is almost twice as often as the average frequentation of much easier to access geocaches in the Forstenrieder Park. This case also demonstrated the challenges for urban forest managers to get in contact with the owner of such caches and to remove them. Only a few guidelines exist until today and they only contain general statements and no spatial explicit information about the suitability of certain sites. Spatial information for suitable and unsuitable sites as well as training offers for reviewers seem to be a suitable approach to minimize conflicts with nature conservation issues.

www.efuf2015.org


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Natura 2000 Forests as Urban Forests in Hungary Katalin Tuba, University of West-‐Hungary, Hungary, [email protected]

Géza Kelemen, University of West-‐Hungary, Hungary, [email protected]

Keywords: ownership categories, recreation facilities, environmental education, thematic paths, protection of natural values

Abstract

Natura 2000 ecological network covers 1.99 million hectares in

Natura 2000. It is a higher rate compared to the average of European countries. The forests cover 829,000 hectares of it which takes up 40 percent of the country.

In our work the advantages and the disadvantages of direct association of Natura 2000 areas and the inclusion of Natura 2000 areas in towns / cities were investigated. Fifteen cities were examined considering the area of the urban forest around or in the city, the ownership categories, recreation facilities, free time activities, their social functions and role in the environmental education.

The size of the urban forest of the chosen cities was determined based on the number of inhabitants, frequency of tourist and thematic paths,

town centre was also taken into consideration.

Both Natura 2000 forests and Natura 2000 urban forests are predominantly state-‐owned. The chosen cities and towns are situated near riverbanks or in hilly regions, which are particularly rich in not only health, environmental and educational services but also provide amusement, sports and recreation facilities for adults and kids alike. In Natura 2000 urban forests the ratio of environmental education, the number of hospitals treating chronic diseases, the chapels and sanctuaries are significant.

The difficulty in establishing cultural services and recreation facilities in Natura 2000 forests is that it requires a long and complex official



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procedure to receive the permits. The large number of visitors set back the protection of natural values.

In the last two or three years the state forest companies have spent substantial amounts of money on the development of recreation

Hungary is fortunate since several its Natura 2000 forests are located right next to or at the edge of towns or cities.