Urban Forest Canopy as a Climate/Health Adaptation
The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, developed an Urban and Community Forest Management Plan using a street tree inventory that identifies 42,000 street trees and 8,000 stumps or planting sites. Canopy can reduce urban temperatures by 7 degrees Fahrenheit. More urban canopy cover will be critical as temperatures climb as a result of global warming.
Ann Arbor has data that can assess existing canopy and places where more trees can be planted in areas of the city most vulnerable to extreme heat. Coupling these data with Washtenaw County public health information on the potential health effects of heat exposure, the HIA suggested that the Ann Arbor Urban and Community Forest Management Plan consider highly vulnerable areas for targeted tree planting and recommended that areas be prioritized by population size and neighborhood receptiveness.
Outcome
The HIA introduced the concept and method of incorporating health considerations into city planning and operations. The extent to which the HIA influenced the final city plan for planting trees remains unclear, given that the city environmental coordinator, who was receptive to the plan, was not the final decision-maker.
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Status:Completed
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Publication date:2014, January
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Decision-making levels:Local
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Sectors:Planning and zoning
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Additional topic areas:Resilience and sustainability, Regulation, Parks and green spaces
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Drivers of health:Extreme weather events
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Affected populations:Older adults, Children, Economically disadvantaged
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Community types:Urban
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Research methods:Quantitative research
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Funding source:Other funding