Urban health and urban forestry: How can forest management agencies help?

London

2013

119-133

Sonderdruck

12445S

203641

There is increasing evidence that green space, including the urban forest, is linked to significant human health benefits both mentally and physically. This has led to some urban forestry programmes designed with the specific goal of improving human health. In this paper, empirical research to identify how urban forestry might best contribute to such benefits is reviewed. Four questions are considered: (1) What health outcomes should agencies aim to improve? (2) What kinds of urban forestry should be prioritised for human health? (3) What kinds of activities and social programmes should agencies support? (4) What kinds of partnerships are required to harness the health benefits of urban forestry? To ground this review in practice, the findings are related to two UK urban forestry programmes: (1) Cydcoed in Wales and (2) Woods In and Around Towns in Scotland. Strategies should ensure provision of urban forest, including street trees, very close to residences to promote the restorative benefits of urban forests for people. Agencies should consider including explicit goals of improving mental health and social cohesion outcomes. Strategies to encourage physical activity will require support programmes. Agencies should foster social programmes to support access to urban forests, with attention paid to removing barriers to participation, and ensuring appropriate volunteer and staff training. Strategies will require effective partnerships with other organisations working in urban settings and will need to pay greater attention to how well these partnerships work.Keywords: health benefits; urban forestry; street trees; well-being