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Trees in Canadian Cities: Indispensable Life Form for Urban Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Peter N. Duinker

    (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Camilo Ordóñez

    (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • James W. N. Steenberg

    (Environmental Applied Science and Management, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Kyle H. Miller

    (Geography and Program in Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada)

  • Sydney A. Toni

    (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Sophie A. Nitoslawski

    (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

Abstract

We argue that a healthy urban forest contributes immensely to the sustainability of cities. The argument is based on a comprehensive array of values elicited from Canadians in several cities. To begin, we define the urban forest as inclusive of all the trees in the city and thus representing the predominant contributor to a city’s green infrastructure. Then we enumerate and explain the broad diversity of ways in which urban people value trees in the city. We, thus, show the myriad pathways by which trees contribute positively to any city’s social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Following a short summary of the ways in which trees may detract from people’s quality of life, we present promising management directions for urban-forest improvement, as we understand the situation in Canada. We conclude that all cities can enhance their sustainability by improving the urban forest.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter N. Duinker & Camilo Ordóñez & James W. N. Steenberg & Kyle H. Miller & Sydney A. Toni & Sophie A. Nitoslawski, 2015. "Trees in Canadian Cities: Indispensable Life Form for Urban Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:6:p:7379-7396:d:50900
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Attila Buzási & Bettina Szimonetta Jäger, 2021. "Exploratory Analysis of Urban Sustainability by Applying a Strategy-Based Tailor-Made Weighting Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Sara Barron & Sophie Nitoslawski & Kathleen L. Wolf & Angie Woo & Erin Desautels & Stephen R. J. Sheppard, 2019. "Greening Blocks: A Conceptual Typology of Practical Design Interventions to Integrate Health and Climate Resilience Co-Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Olga Sachanbińska-Dobrzyńska, 2023. "A Legal Framework for Energy-Conscious Urban Planning in Poland and Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-26, September.
    4. Derk Jan Stobbelaar, 2020. "Impact of Student Interventions on Urban Greening Processes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-19, July.

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