Urban Trees

The color green is commonly associated with positive connotations; it symbolizes nature, the climate, development and fertility in general. If you were born in the 1980s, then you mostly recall Safaa Abo-popular Elsaud's song that connects the green color of plants with the notion of good and supply. In Louis Armstrong's iconic song What a Wonderful World!, green trees were also stated as a facet of the beauty of nature.

Indeed, nothing is more beautiful and peaceful in the countryside than sunny mornings? However, 55% of the world's population currently inhabits towns, with 15% more projected to migrate from rural to urban areas by 2050. As such, to break the dullness of concrete, stone, steel and asphalt, the rising populations of cities need more green elements.

Ideally, three forms of infrastructure should be included in cities: (1) grey, representing houses, highways, and parking areas; (2) blue, representing rivers, reservoirs, and water channels; (3) green, representing streets, gardens, and parks with grass, trees, and shrubs. The interaction between the three is important, according to urban planners and landscape architects, in order to face different urban challenges.

Since the financial value of investing in a grey infrastructure area makes easy money, the much greater value of green infrastructure is overlooked by many cities, particularly in developing countries. In reality, for the ecosystem, the atmosphere, biodiversity, human health, the economy and the quality of life as a whole, urban trees have much to give. They also play a key role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Target 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Environmental Benefits

Trees, which include what is known as ecosystem services, have numerous environmental benefits. Most notably, they consume CO2, the infamous greenhouse gas, and create oxygen, contributing directly to the fight against climate change. Trees also cast shade and release vapor from water, leading to temperature reduction. As such, they alleviate what is known as the impact of the Urban Heat Island (UHI), which induces weather pattern changes.

Trees also allow communities to be more resilient to the destructive effects of disasters driven by climate change. They delay the flow of storm water, helping to minimize the amount of overall runoff, soil erosion, and flooding. Rainwater is intercepted by leaves, roots, and trunks, some of which evaporate back into the atmosphere and some soak in the surrounding land. It also prevents contaminants from being transported to the ocean and other water sources by storm water.

In addition to mitigating climate change, trees allow urban biodiversity to thrive. Not only does it encourage biodiversity by planting different types of trees and shrubs, the trees themselves provide shelter, food, and protection for numerous animals, including birds, bees, and squirrels. In addition, trees conserve freshwater, today's most valuable asset in the world; they increase groundwater recharge, which greatly reduces paved areas in towns. In addition, the shade of trees slows the evaporation of water from vegetation in parks; and when trees transpire, they increase atmospheric humidity.

In general, cities are associated with higher levels of pollution, marking some of the world's most contaminated areas; trees fight various forms of pollution. First, by trapping urban pollutants and fine particulate matter produced from burning biomass and fossil fuels, they improve air quality. The leaves, branches, and twigs capture and filter the particulates, and they are washed to the ground by rainfall. Second, trees contribute to rain and underground water purification, allowing freshwater bodies to absorb less quantities of chemicals. Third, by absorbing sound waves, they mitigate the noise of cities, providing a more comfortable environment.

Health benefits

Trees play an important role in the field of environmental health, a division of public health that is concerned with the effects of the environment on human health. They enhance physical and mental wellbeing, and encourage relaxation and well-being.

Research has shown that when their surroundings are greener, people prefer to go outside and exercise. Urban trees, as such, facilitate physical activity and reduce the rate of urban obesity and obesity-related diseases. Urban parks offer physical activity opportunities, and have become increasingly popular as places for walking, running, biking, and hiking.

In addition, kids that are more exposed to natural conditions develop improved skills for focus and are less likely to develop Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Trees also mitigate what is known as the Nature-Deficit Disorder; a condition that results from spending too much time indoors, particularly without window views of the outdoors.

The above-mentioned trees providing ecological services to cities often positively impact on the wellbeing of their inhabitants. Harmful pollutants and gaseous emissions will make their way into the lungs of individuals without trees, exposing them to asthma problems, as well as many respiratory and even cancerous diseases. In addition, the strategic location of trees in cities can cool their temperatures by 2 C-8 C, which can help reduce heat wave strikes that annually destroy tens of thousands of individuals around the world.

Not only do trees avoid health risks, but they also accelerate periods of regeneration and increase the average lifespan. For example, patients whose rooms have a view of trees have been shown to have shorter post-operative stays in hospitals. A study performed by Harvard researchers also found that women surrounded by the least vegetation had a higher non-accidental death rate of 12 percent.

Economic benefits

While several individuals typically go unnoticed in contrast to other advantages, urban trees do have major economic benefits. First of all, they have hundreds of job opportunities, needing qualified staff for planting, watering, pruning, pest control, and so on for trees. Secondly, for heating or cooking, urban trees can provide wood; they can also provide food items, including nuts and fruits, or beautiful flowers. Third, trees save energy; trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning requirements by 30 percent and save energy used for heating by 20 percent-50 percent, according to the FAO.

Now, let's talk a bit about money! It was found that trees would increase the value of real estate properties by 20%; community greenspaces usually increase the value of surrounding properties. Surrounded by trees, homes, offices, and hotels are sold/rented quicker, have higher occupancy rates, and occupants stay for longer periods. In addition, when the stores are situated in areas with large numbers of shade trees, clients prefer to shop more.

Last but not least, for corporations and human resources, trees still have their toll. Research has shown that 23 percent more cases of diseases were documented by workers without a view of nature from their desks than those with a view of greenery. In addition, the latter are more active and have a decreased degree of absenteeism.

Social benefits

Trees will build relationships and stop crime! Studies have identified a direct relation between the number of trees and grass in open spaces in a particular community and the social contact between its inhabitants. Parks and trees provide a space for neighbors to meet and get to know each other, as per a study conducted at the University of Illinois in 1996. Such friendships later grow into support networks, eliminating the level of fear in a given community. Similarly, other studies have shown that urban residents with more trees report less instances of violence and crime than their barren counterparts.

Unique types of trees can serve as cultural and historical landmarks of a given region, help to shape its identity, and serve its inhabitants as a source of pride. In 2017, when a building firm opted to remove it to complete one of its projects, the enlightened residents of the Egyptian Ismailia Governorate defended a historic rare banyan fig tree. The Government took action in response to protect the tree that dates back to the era of Khedive Ismail, especially during the digging of the Suez Canal.

Now that all this is known to you, my recommendation is to take urgent action. Co-operate and plant a tree with your neighbors or colleagues. Taking into account current underground infrastructure utilities, as well as the best types to be planted in a particular area, you might need the assistance of some experts to select the correct location.

For elite housing projects, urban trees are far more than elements of landscape beautification or a luxury setting. They will make a great deal of progress towards sustainability. They can save lives and our world can actually be saved.