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Cool Communities-Urban Density, Trees, and Health
Helen Brown1, Katrina Proust2, Barry Newell3
1WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Impact Assessment, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia. h.brown@curtin.edu.au.
Urban infill development in Perth risks reducing tree canopy and increasing urban heat island effects, impacting climate resilience. Shifting to sustainable development valuing trees is crucial for healthier, resilient cities.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning and environmental science
- Public health and climate resilience
- Systems thinking and urban ecology
Background:
- Cities globally are prioritizing compact, climate-resilient development.
- Increasing urban density can conflict with maintaining tree canopy, exacerbating the urban heat island (UHI) effect.
- Reduced tree canopy diminishes urban climate resilience and associated ecosystem services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the interplay between urban infill, tree canopy, and human health in Perth, Australia.
- To understand how current planning policies influence urban development and its environmental consequences.
- To identify leverage points for enhancing urban climate resilience through greening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a systems thinking approach, specifically Collaborative Conceptual Modelling.
- Investigated the dynamic interactions within the urban system of Perth.
- Examined the influence of development practices on tree canopy extent and UHI effects.
Main Results:
- Current development practices prioritize housing density over tree canopy preservation.
- This trend is likely to decrease tree canopy, elevate temperatures, and reduce the benefits trees provide.
- The urban system's behavior is currently dominated by density targets, undermining climate resilience goals.
Conclusions:
- A paradigm shift is needed to value environmental and social benefits of trees in urban development.
- Integrating market and legislative mechanisms is essential for protecting existing trees and promoting new ones.
- Strategic urban planning must prioritize climate resilience alongside density targets to ensure sustainable city futures.
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