Expanding urban forestry programmes

The purpose of a Urban and Community Forestry Programme is to create sustainable urban forests providing benefits to local communities that reduce energy consumption, improve air and water quality, improve the quality of urban environments and the quality of life. Urban forestry facilitate efforts offering employment opportunities and the production of an assortment of products. Encourages coordination of state and local efforts to promote citizen participation in the development and implementation of urban forestry activities.

The health and recreational needs of urbanites who are less wealthy and less mobile have received little attention, although trees and woodlands are needed both within urban areas and within easy reach of the cities. All cities need lungs and for those who cannot venture far the need is greatest. Trees should play a part in urban planning, providing shade, sound insulation, wind and storm barriers, play space and allaying dust.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends stimulating development of urban forestry for the greening of urban, peri-urban and rural human settlements for amenity, recreation and production purposes and for protecting trees and groves.