On the 14th of February in Brussels within COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), one of the longest-running European frameworks supporting cooperation among scientists and Researchers across Europe) the Action FP1204 was launched. It is called 'Green Infrastructure approach: linking environmental with social aspects in studying and managing urban forests'. 32 European countries participate in this Action plus United States, Canada, Algeria, Armenia as external non-COST countries. FAO is also joining the initiative.
The Action which will last for 4 years will allow several initiatives to be carried out including conferences, workshops, training schools, researchers-exchange, scientific and technical publications with the main aim to increase the understanding of the role of urban forests and green spaces in the context of Green Infrastructure (GI), especially focusing on services provided to people and to the urban environment. Trees, parks, urban and peri-urban woods (green spaces categories included within Urban Forest) can mitigate temperature, decrease pollution, water run-off and soil erosion, increase aesthetics and quality of places, provide a place for recreation, education and learning. Trees can also contribute in direct and indirect ways to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere and contrast ‘Global warming’.
In brief, trees in our cities considerably improve quality of life, increasing health and well-being of the people.
Targets of the action are: 1) to increase the knowledge from a scientific and a socio-economic perspective 2) to identify priorities and challenges for future research in the field, and 3) to provide indicators and / or thresholds to be included by policy makers at local, national or international regulations about GI and Urban Forests, 4) to develop guidelines for GI planners and managers on how to Implement GI approaches with an emphasis on maximising the environmental and social services of UF.
For further info please visit the website:
http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fps/Actions/FP1204
Action Fact Sheet
Memorandum of Understanding
Information office for COST Action FP1204
