The city of Chengdu in China, was named the Grand Winner of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) World Green City Awards 2024. The awards ceremony took place last autumn at the Future Green City World Congress in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Opening the gala dinner for the presentations, AIPH President Leonardo Capitanio spoke passionately about the role of the ornamental horticulture industry in the future of our cities.
Today, more than ever, we are faced with an epic challenge: ensuring that our cities remain livable and resilient in the face of climate change and growing urbanisation. Humanity has always found comfort and inspiration in green spaces. Whether in carefully cultivated gardens with vibrant flowers or vast natural landscapes, these environments not only beautify our cities but are also fundamental to our well-being. However, it is only recently that we have begun to understand the incredible range of benefits that plants and trees provide.
As climate change predictions become reality, it is clear that plants will be among the most valuable resources we have to keep our cities comfortable. With more than half of the world’s population already living in urban areas, innovative creation and management of the urban environment is essential for our future. We must recognise the importance of plants and trees and their ability to adapt to stress in order to ensure the health and well-being of us all.
However, there is a critical issue that we must address urgently: the current biodiversity of green spaces in our cities is severely limited. This lack of diversity poses a significant risk to the sustainability of our urban vegetation. We are relying on too few species and varieties, often redundantly, which leaves our cities vulnerable, especially in the face of phytosanitary problems. When a limited number of species dominates our urban landscapes, a single pest or disease can have devastating effects, wiping out large swaths of greenery and leaving our cities exposed to the very problems we are trying to mitigate.
It is crucial to underline the importance of expertise in this field. Today, more than ever, we have the knowledge and scientific understanding to address these challenges effectively. We must leverage this expertise, ensuring that our actions are grounded in solid scientific support. While it is important to maintain a connection with nature and embrace the emotional and cultural value of green spaces, we cannot afford to be guided by romanticism alone. Our approach must be evidence-based, guided by the best practices and knowledge available to us, to ensure that the solutions we implement are truly sustainable.
It is absolutely essential that the producers of plants and trees are involved from the very beginning of the planning process of urban interventions. Trees and plants need time to grow, and this is a process that cannot be rushed. Too often, producers are only considered when it is time to bring the plants to the construction site, but by then, it might already be too late to obtain the right product. Proper planning requires foresight, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the timelines needed for plant growth. By engaging with producers early on, we can ensure that the trees and plants needed are available, healthy, and well-suited to the environments we are creating.
Studies have already identified the main challenges we face in urban environments, such as stormwater management, air, soil, and water pollution, carbon sequestration, the urban heat island effect, and summer heatwaves. The data shows how plants and trees can provide effective solutions through the ecosystem services they offer, such as rain interception, shading, and cooling through transpiration. These vital benefits are given to us in exchange for space in our cities, gardens, and streets. But to receive these benefits, we must first give trees all the help we can, starting by understanding their needs, beyond our own landscape requirements.
If we truly grasp these concepts, we can begin planting not only more plants but a greater variety of species that will not only enrich our lives but also provide the necessary resilience and benefits for future generations.
Think about the trees of your childhood, those silent giants that stood as a backdrop to your memories. It is this connection with trees, however subtle, that we must rediscover and value today, drawing upon our bond with these life-giving organisms that create the oxygen we cannot live without. However, as we reconnect with this bond, let us also rely on the best scientific knowledge and expertise we have at our disposal to guide our actions.
Indigenous tribes have revered nature for millennia, believing that every living being has a spirit and a role in the order of things, contributing to the cycles that make life rich and meaningful. Yet, in our global expansion, we have often ignored this delicate balance, exploiting natural resources as if they were infinite.
Our thinking must go deeper, considering the multitude of hidden benefits that trees bring, along with their capacity to withstand storms, droughts, and floods. By 2050, most of us will live in cities and suburban areas. It is our responsibility now to ensure that nature is not pushed to the margins but integrated and seen as vital not only for our existence but for maintaining the balance of our planet. And in doing so, we must base our decisions on the wealth of knowledge we possess today, avoiding the pitfalls of decisions made without adequate scientific support.
We can all be part of this change, creating lush and diverse urban forests, ensuring a network of plants and trees that spreads throughout our built environment until it connects with the surrounding countryside. Every plant in our streets, parks, and gardens, whether in groups or standing alone, will contribute to forming a collective canopy that will cover our cities.
I wonder what urban professionals and landscape architects of the past would have done with the information we now have about plants and trees. Would they have planted differently? Would they have prioritised greater biodiversity? Would they have made better-informed decisions? We will never know. However, what is certain is that our changing climate has highlighted the crucial importance of knowledge. As more people want to be part of the solution, it is essential that everyone understands the role and functionality of plants, along with the necessity of increasing biodiversity. If we base our actions on solid scientific foundations, beautiful, green cities will be here for future generations to thrive.
The future of our cities depends on what we do today. Let’s plant, embrace biodiversity, care for our urban forests, and ensure that nature remains an integral part of our lives. But let us do so with the full weight of the knowledge and expertise we have gained, ensuring our actions are as effective and sustainable as possible.
• For more information about AIPH WGCA 2024, follow this link aiph.org/latest-news/presenting-the-winners-ofthe-aiph-world-green-city-awards-2024.
CATEGORY WINNERS OF THE AIPH WORLD GREEN CITY AWARDS 2024
