Urban and Amenity Forestry; paper presented to the participants of the 3rd Regional Course for promotion of Social Forestry in Africa.

Abstract

Trees, shrubs and related planted materials are an important part of our landscape both in the rural and urban environments. It is commendable to note that development initiatives for promoting tree planting and management activities in the rural areas, particularly in the developing countries in Africa have continued to receive the desired attention and commitment since 1970s. The most immediate justification for this is the assumption that the dominant model of the African society is rooted in the rural world and the belief that related development activities should focus directly on the farmer and his production activities. However, the rapidly changing development trends are increasingly exerting pressure on the available limited resources. The situation correspondingly necessitates that other potential initiatives are pursued. Such initiatives are expected to provide opportunities for facilitating the development of acceptable balances for sustainable growth and meeting the people Is desired needs. This pressure is evidently being realised more than ever before in areas where population densities and centres of growth and development are greatest, that is the urban environment. It is in this respect that urban and amenity forestry as a Social forestry practice is emerging and expected to bring a new dimension to forestry science and programmes by planning, developing, improving, integrating and enhancing the understanding and long-term management of the urban environment and optimisation of the social, economic and environmental benefits for their residents and business community.