Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) have launched a project to pull together research the benefits of urban trees and identify knowledge gaps.
The initiative will collect and review existing research on the benefits of urban trees, in order to identifying what is and is not known. The commission is comprised of the general public, researchers, practitioners, and other industry leaders. It will be carried out by University of Manchester’s Dr Mohammad Rahmanand and Professor Roland Ennos.
A huge amount of energy goes into research, but too often the results don’t get through to the people who can make a difference.
says Ennos as he explains the impetus for the project,
“We aim to review the research and clearly let people know concisely what is known, and perhaps more importantly, what is not known about the benefits of trees in our cities.” This will also help relevant authorities in policy making, and assist researchers to focus on important problems rather than repeating work that has already been done.
“The identification of knowledge gaps is much-needed. This research will help steer our own support for urban tree initiatives in as much as they will benefit the wider community.” adds Dr Gabriel Hemery, Chair of the Fund4Trees Research Advisory Committee.