Research
Dutch Lowland Cities
This project elaborates the concept of the urban forest by drawing on the particular dendrological heritage of trees and woodlands in Dutch lowland cities, from the early modern period to the present day. It looks into the various dimensions of this heritage, how this plays out at different scales and in different contexts, and what this heritage can mean for emerging challenges and urban transformations.
Tree Architecture and Urban Microclimate
The mitigation of climate change impacts such as warming is increasingly urgent in urban environments, which already struggle with higher temperatures caused by the urban heat island effect. Trees and greens spaces play a critical role in the mitigation of air temperatures (both absolute and in terms of personal thermal comfort) in urban environs, through reflection and absorption of irradiation, transpiration cooling and shading.
Urban Forestry NL 2020-2030
The urban forest in Dutch cities faces multiple challenges in the coming years. Beyond the continuing problems of maintaining tree-based resources in cities in the face of competing spatial and infrastructural demands, problematic growing conditions, concerns about buildings, property values and safety, and limited planting and maintenance budgets, emerging challenges in areas of densification, climate adaptation, (urban) ecology and biodiversity, health & well-being and energy transition are expected to significantly impact on the urban forest in the Netherlands in the future.