How to Co-Create Collective Awareness on the Benefits of Trees

Strosse, Veerle and Stoffels, Sara and Vallet, Nathalie (2023) How to Co-Create Collective Awareness on the Benefits of Trees. LET IT GROW, LET US PLAN, LET IT GROW. Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Resilient Smart Green and Blue Cities. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2023, 28th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 1035-1040. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Nature is our ally in solving all kinds of social problems. This was well understood by the researchers of the ongoing URBiNAT (2018-2023) project, with focus on the regeneration of under-served urban neighbourhoods1, through the co-creation of Nature-Based Solutions. Combining physical and infrastructural – green - solutions with social and economic practices, this project aims at creating collective awareness and contribute to a better understanding of human and non-human dimensions of our urban environments by conducting research, exploring case studies and implementation in several cities. How can these results and working methods also apply to trees and better conservation of the tree stock2, which also play a key role in many challenges society is facing? Trees are essential in tackling climate change through mitigation and adaptation. They are natural and free air conditioners, they purify the air, provide carbon storage and biodiversity in the soil/underground and they fulfil a landscape or social role in villages and cities. Moreover, they provice a green counterweight to the increasing use of space in Flanders3, something that could be experienced first-hand during the corona crisis. Yet trees still often disappear to make room for other space claims in Flanders. Today, citizens and permit providers (mainly municipalities) make an important mark on the above-ground use of space: recent research by the Department of Environment & Spatial Development Flanders shows that most applications for tree felling are submitted by citizens, and that municipal authorities approve nearly every application. In this new research proposal, integrating the approach of the URBiNAT project in order to prevent the disappearing tree stock in Flanders, we want to know why trees are cut down and how we can co-create collective awareness on the benefits of trees with the stakeholders involved in Flanders.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	awareness, co-creation, ecosystem services , trees, nature-based solutions
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2023 15:45
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 17:48
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/973

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