Urban Agriculture

Forests and trees help to build the city image in a time of increased competition for investment: the city of Dalian, China Cecil Konijnendijk Trees and Cities - Growing together MAGAZINE NUMBER 13, DECEMBER 2004 NUMBER 13, While human societies throughout history have largely component of urban and periurban been rural, currently the majority of the world’s green structures, including forests, population lives in cities and towns. Increasingly land is parks, orchards and any other tree needed for urban areas to cater for the needs of the system, which are referred to collectively inhabitants, which often a detrimental effect on forests as urban and periurban forestry (UPF). and other green areas. This is a particularly interesting topic, since urban agriculture and forestry are here is tremendous pressure on policy often mentioned together but in practice makers to develop sustainable cities appear to be treated as quite separate T where inhabitants can enjoy a high areas. This issue of UA Magazine tries to quality of life and a healthy environment. bridge these worlds and show that they The policy makers thus have to tackle a have many similarities as well as much to wide range of associated challenges. The learn from each other. In the quest for Second World Urban Forum (held in healthy, liveable and sustainable cities, Barcelona, September 2004) looked at urban green (productive) spaces have an many of these challenges faced by cities. important role to play. By providing a The participants emphasised, among range of goods and services, they can help Editorial other things, that trees and their related provide livelihoods, moderate harsh ecosystems are very important, urban climates, conserve biodiversity and multifunctional components of urban contribute to better public health. green structures. In recent years www.ruaf.org integrative and strategic approaches have TREES AND FORESTS FOR therefore been developed and SUSTAINABLE CITIES _________________ implemented across the globe to promote The challenges related to urbanisation are Cecil Konijnendijk and develop tree-based resources that clear and present, such as the provision of WoodSCAPE Consult cater for multiple urban demands. food and housing, sanitation, and employment (especially in the developing Michelle Gauthier In earlier issues of UA Magazine a number world). What is the role of trees and Forestry Department, FAO of the challenges facing cities were related forests in and around urban areas in to the topic of urban agriculture, and addressing these challenges? Experience René van Veenhuizen innovative approaches to improving shows that these and other green spaces RUAF Programme, ETC urban environments were highlighted. form more than just a “supplementary” Foundation This issue will focus on the tree urban infrastructure. URBAN AGRICULTURE Role of trees outside the forest Establishing wooded lots in villages and near urban centres relieves the pressure on natural forests for fuel wood, poles and fodder. In Tunisia initiatives include establishing a green belt around Tunis, creating parks, lining boulevards and motorways, planting coastal esplanades and implementing a national programme for heritage trees. In Mali, about 22,000 ha of plantations have been established in villages and urban areas since 1986, and there has been additional planting along roadways. Iran has been active as well, with a network of urban and periurban planted forests and parks.Often, however, problems arise when irrigation cannot be Stella Odurukwe sustained in the long term because of water shortages. Urban Agriculture in Dzorwulu next to the power station The use of treated wastewater from cities is therefore seen as an opportunity to support urban and periurban Economic and livelihood values Africa, for example, are still tree planting in several countries. Poverty alleviation and food heavily dependent upon fuel Source: FAO 2003, p. 16. security are high on the agenda of wood. Urban and periurban many international institutions forests also provide non-wood and development aid forest products such as programmes, and in previous mushrooms, berries, (medicinal) issues of UA Magazine, it was herbs, rattan, seeds, leaves, and so argued that urban agriculture can forth (see for instance the article play an important role in this on Abia State in Nigeria by respect. Indeed, many countries Odurukwu on page 8). have a long tradition of urban Urban Forestry in the city of Curitiba dwellers supplementing their Environmental and biodiversity Curitiba is known beyond Brazil’s national border for its diets and/or incomes with local values policies in favour of well-ordered urban development, a agricultural produce. In this issue, Urban forests and trees have sophisticated public transportation system and Thaman illustrates this (on page major effects on the urban environmental conservation, which have given Curitiba 12) by providing an overview of, environment. The large majority the character of a modern model city in Latin America. often tradition-rich, urban of households in the Abia State of For the last 30 years, Curitiba has focused on its urban agricultural systems on the small Nigeria have demonstrated their planning. A master plan for an orderly urban islands of the Pacific. awareness of the positive impacts development was implemented in 1971. The that trees and agroforestry development of the master plan was supported by the Farmers involved in integrated systems have on their IPPUC (“Research and Urban Planning Institute of agriculture and forestry systems, environment, for example Curitiba”) and permanent discussions throughout agroforestry, can enhance urban through their efforts to improve society (“Tomorrow’s Curitiba” seminars). Today, the agricultural production by soil fertility and reduce erosion. city is moving forward to extend its solutions to the growing trees together with crops Important in both the developed whole metropolitan area such as “zoning and land use” or by combining cultivation with and developing worlds is the role with time tables for execution. A significant part of the animal husbandry, thereby adding urban vegetation plays in water population is involved in Curitiba’s environmental value through the enhancement of management. Trees reduce storm programmes. The most successful environmental the microclimate and growing water runoff and can assist with project in Curitiba with respect to local participation is conditions, or through the processing wastewater. Many the communal planting project “Plantios Comunitários”. diversification of produce (see also cities have established and With the supported of the Environmental Education the article by Oosterbaan on page conserved forests in order to Department, native (fruit) trees are planted together 23). Forest systems can also protect their drinking water with the local people. When suitable areas are found, provide fodder for animals, as resources (Konijnendijk 1999). In the Department contacts local representatives and shown by Akinbamijo in his arid regions, forest shelterbelts involves them in the planning process. The areas article on Gambia (page 40). In the around cities help combat designated for planting are always public areas, mostly case of small-holder dairy farming desertification. Trees and other threatened by erosion or inundation like steep slopes or in and near urban areas of central vegetation also intercept particles riparian zones. The local people are also provided with Kenya described in this issue, and gaseous pollutants and thus knowledge about the tree or shrub species to be planted. woody species such as shrubs are help reduce air pollution (see the These activities are not restricted to the city centre but essential for providing protein- article by Mock on page 29). This have an emphasis especially on the periphery of the rich fodder (Wambugu and function of urban forests has been urban agglomeration. Franzel on page 18). Timber and recognised in countries like China, Source: FAO, 2002b. (Proceedings TOF expert consultation, other wood products are very as mentioned by Liu et al. on page November 2001) important in urban areas; large 15. parts of the urban population of 2 UA-Magazine In this issue The level of biodiversity of urban green city forests is not always seen as an 08 Agroforestry in Periurban Cities of areas is often surprisingly high, important or attractive issue by urban Abia State, Nigeria representing nature close to where people planners) or simply unwillingness to 10 Promoting the Integration of live. Cities such as Rio de Janeiro and make urban green a priority, the fact is Agroforestry in Urban and Periurban Singapore still have tracts of tropical that urban greening is not yet universally Kisumu rainforest within their boundaries. In integrated in city planning. There is a 12 Urban Gardening on the Small Europe, national parks are found at the need for integrative and comprehensive Islands of the Pacific gates of large cities such as Warsaw, approaches to planning and management 15 Urban Forestry in China: status and Moscow and Vienna (see also UA of urban and periurban green spaces to prospects Magazine no. 6). optimise the many benefits discussed 18 Fodder Shrubs for Increasing the above (also see Wolf on page 31). Incomes of (Peri)urban Livestock Social and cultural values Owners The recreational values of forests, parks, UPF AS AN INTEGRATIVE AND 20 Urban Fodder Forests in The Gambia gardens and other urban green areas are STRATEGIC APPROACH

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