Potential of urban forestry

The rate of population growth and urbanization out of control in developing countries has been causing many environmental and social consequences. The role of urban green trees is less focused, the technical process is too sketchy, the management policy is not synchronized . Therefore, the development of urban forestry will provide residents with the benefits of Environment and material are very important.

The fact that urban forestry has proven to bring many benefits to residents, as follows:

1. Material benefits

Currently, the demand for wood in civil construction, other architectural works, interior and exterior decoration and furniture is very large. The supply of timber from natural forests is getting less and less, so the first step is to plan and rate the square meter / tree per capita, the green belts between the industrial zone and the residential area, the middle of the highway and residential areas . If science and technology is used to breed, to introduce high-yield and suitable plants to soil, it will create a plentiful source of wood for the population.

Urban forestry also provides an abundant source of fuel. The majority of the poor live on the outskirts of the city using small branches as fuel. Households with small and manual production of traditional craft such as making rice paper, processing foods from cereals . use firewood.

A shredded wooden vault used to operate a water heater for a motel and hundreds of surrounding households in the city of Kamakatsu - a model forestry town in Japan - (Photo: HT)

2. Environmental benefits

With diversity and abundance in shape, foliage, color, height, flowering period . trees can increase living environment by reducing the glare of light, helping cool air softer, more fresh. Besides, many green trees also help reduce noise. The leaves are capable of absorbing or splitting sound waves, reducing the speed and intensity of sound waves.

Today, green trees become an indispensable element in architectural works, increasing real estate value and being the pride of urban residents. Ulrich's experiment in 1984 showed that 23 patients in the room had windows overlooking the green garden to recover faster than 23 patients in the window room did not look out at the green garden. Through this experiment, hospitals should plant more trees around for patients to see.

Trees are an indispensable component in cultural life, parks, amusement parks . as a bridge between nature and culture. Trees in urban environments create different cultures among ethnic groups and cities. For example, when it comes to Hai Phong, people immediately think of red phoenix flowers.

3. Educational value

Botanical gardens, parks, recreation areas . collecting many species of plants in the country and abroad, is a source of living plants for education. The natural forests around urban areas in Vietnam are now gradually losing, the nature conservation areas are too far away, the protection forests are not diverse .

4. Places of entertainment

Park Zoo, Dam Sen Cultural Park, Tao Dan Park . are places for entertainment, exercise not only for the city people. However, it is still too few for a densely populated urban area like Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Son Thuy (Ho Chi Minh City Forestry Department)