Greening Ottawa to Increase Resilience and Equity: Study on Citizens’ Preferences Regarding the Urban Forest
Published by:
David Suzuki Foundation and partners
Authored by:
Félix L. Landry
Partners:
Canada Research Chair in Ecological Economics,
Institute of Temperate Forests Science
ISBN:
978-1-988424-87-3
Climate solutions, Biodiversity, Cities climate change, human health and wellbeing
This study, which is based on choice modelling, is aimed at measuring Ottawans’ preferences regarding five urban forest attributes: density, diversity, the proportion of conifers/deciduous trees, the visual aspect and the associated costs. The analysis of survey data collected from 450 respondents reveals a preference for an urban forest with a higher density of trees, a wider diversity of tree species, the presence of street shrubs, and a willingness to invest in these natural infrastructure attributes.
These results indicate that Ottawans want a forest-management approach that is different from current greening practices and should be seen as a clear message to decision-makers to redirect public funds towards improving natural infrastructure, an approach that will allow for greater resilience to climate change.
