Urban forests makes cities more liveable in the following ways:
Came across a great website in that highlights the obvious benefits (shamelessly copied and pasted)
Environmental Benefits
- Moderate temperature of road surface increasing their life span
- Reduction of air pollutants
- Urban Forests Protect Our Water
- Urban Forests Can Increase Traffic Safety
Sociological Benefits
- Trees have the potential to reduce social service budgets, decrease police calls for domestic violence, strengthen urban communities, and decrease the incidence of child abuse according to the study.
- Residents who live near trees have significantly better relations with and stronger ties to their neighbors.
- Researchers found fewer reports of physical violence in homes that had trees outside the buildings. Of the residents interviewed, 14% of residents living in barren conditions have threatened to use a knife or gun against their children versus 3% for the residents living in green conditions.
- Studies have shown that hospital patients with a view of trees out their windows recover much faster and with fewer complications than similar patients without such views.
- A Texas A&M study indicates that trees help create relaxation and well being.
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A U.S. Department of Energy study reports that trees reduce noise pollution by acting as a buffer and absorbing 50% of urban noise.
Real Estate Benefits:
- Trees can increase property values 5%-15% (Adding and maintaining trees - especially if Mature - are expensive. So a sustainable way must be found)
Environmental Vision for Toronto
- Lake Ontario Park - One of the Largest Urban Parks in North America to be built in Toronto
- Will Silva Cells help improve Toronto's urban forest? - Great article on seeing how Toronto is moving forward. Concepts that show trees on Bloor between Avenue and Church really looks great.
- Money does grow on trees -The reasons for planting a canopy overshadow today’s trend toward tiny trees. 109,000 to 110,000 trees are planted a year in Toronto. Today the canopy covers 20 per cent of the city; the goal is 30 to 40 per cent coverage.
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