Could climate change and urban growth make Europeans regard urban trees as an additional source of danger?
Author(s)
Date Issued
2023
Type
article
Volume
6
Abstract
In some geographical areas of North America and Southeast Asia cities are
frequently hit by heavy windstorms capable of knocking down hundreds of
urban trees and large branches in a few minutes. Falling trees generate a broad
array of disservices that vary over time and space. In Europe and worldwide
the frequency of these extreme weather events has increased in recent decades
and climate change could intensify these windstorms while the effects of urban
land expansion could increase the extent of damage. However, Europe’s urban
populations are unprepared for extreme weather events and are unable to limit
the effects that the widespread loss of trees over limited space and time can have
on people, buildings and city road networks. Preparing for rare, extreme future
events that could strongly affect urban green infrastructures is a demanding
challenge for city dwellers and for those who should ensure the continuity of
the ecosystem services provided by urban trees. In fact, the damage caused
by fallen trees is combined with the loss of the benefits provided by the trees
themselves. Therefore the aim of this paper is to: (a) investigate the disruptions
that a windstorm can cause in an urban area full of trees using a conceptual
model; (b) conduct a literature review to determine how high the risk of these
disservices occurring in Europe really is, which is definitely more likely than
commonly perceived and could increase as a result of climate change and; (c)
indicate what kind of measures can be taken in European cities to prevent or
at least reduce the risks from falling urban trees during a strong windstorm,
starting from the experience gained in the geographical areas most frequently
and intensely affected by this type of weather event.
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Portoghesi et al 2023.pdf
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