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Integration of forests into the urban landscape

City development must be balanced with nature

Forests and plants are essential to life on the planet. Since the advent of humanity, earth has lost more than half of its trees. Many have been cut down or destroyed to advance the rise of our civilization. People have been using wood for countless applications for thousands of years. Fuel, construction materials, tools, furniture, and paper as all derived from trees. Keeping up with this deforestation trend might lead to some dire consequences. All organisms on this planet need trees to survive. We have to approach this carefully.

Aside from completely stopping all deforestation activities, there are a few things we as humans can do to help soften the effects. One of the most important ones is replanting. To take this a step further, though, we have to integrate our urban landscapes with more greenery. When we build roads, buildings, shops, and other industrial developments, we should leave some significant space for trees and plants.

First and foremost, design and insert more dedicated parks and green spaces directly into the cities. Most rooftops can be utilized for gardening. Even if the garden covers the entire roof, this can benefit the building itself, by keeping it cooler. Any elevated platforms, such as balconies and train station covers, can support plants and trees. Build roads to always include grass and shrubbery. Even tall trees are always a good option because of the lack of obstructions above the roads. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

In several years, one of the most interesting greenery integrations will be completed. In Memorial Park in Houston, Texas, a land bridge joining both parts will be constructed. This almost 100 acre land bridge will allow people and animals to safely cross the roads, which will be hidden beneath the grass in tunnels. This single example provides several benefits. It will add more green space, serve as a flood water management system, increase human and animal safety and comfort, and of course, give a larger green footprint to the city.

Modern cities all around the world will eventually strike a balance between urbanization and nature. What we cut down to create and expand cities, nature should be replenished in those same locations. Humanity and all other species probably will not survive without trees and plants. We need to protect it, preserve it, and integrate it into our daily lives and the places where we live.


[9/10/2021]

City development must be balanced with nature

TL;DR

It is important to maintain a perpetual balance between city infrastructure and nature. Since humanity gets rid of forests and greenery to build habitations, it would be wise to implant more trees within the cities. The time is now to foster symbiosis and harmony with the living earth.

Categories

#Forest #Nature #Environment