Training on Urban Forestry and Green Space Management

Urban forests and green spaces are critical infrastructure for sustainable cities. They reduce urban heat, improve air quality, mitigate flooding, support biodiversity, and enhance public health and well-being. As urban areas expand, loss of vegetation and poorly managed green spaces exacerbate climate risks, degrade living conditions, and reduce community resilience.

Despite their importance, many cities struggle with planning, maintenance, and community engagement. Urban trees and parks are often planted without long-term management, leading to high mortality, underutilized spaces, and wasted investments.

This course provides participants with practical tools and strategies to plan, manage, and sustain urban forests and green spaces. Learners will explore site assessment, species selection, tree care and maintenance, green infrastructure integration, community involvement, and monitoring. Through hands-on exercises, planning simulations, and real-world case studies, participants will develop skills to create and maintain vibrant, climate-resilient urban environments.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

• Urban planners and municipal officials
• Environmental and parks department staff
• Landscape architects and designers
• NGOs working on urban sustainability
• Real estate and infrastructure developers
• Community development organizations

Individual Impact

• Develop practical skills in urban forestry planning and management.
• Improve decision-making for green infrastructure projects.
• Gain confidence in maintaining urban trees and parks sustainably.
• Strengthen community engagement approaches.
• Enhance professional capacity in urban environmental management.

Organizational Impact

• Improve urban environmental quality and resilience.
• Reduce heat stress and flood risks.
• Enhance public spaces and community wellbeing.
• Support sustainable urban development goals.
• Strengthen long-term green space management systems.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Design urban forestry and green space plans

• Manage tree health and maintenance programs

• Integrate green infrastructure into city planning

• Engage communities in green space protection

• Monitor and sustain urban green environments

Module 1: Introduction to Urban Forestry and Green Spaces

• Principles of urban forestry and green infrastructure.
• Environmental and social benefits of urban green spaces.
• Types of urban forests and parks.
• Governance and policy frameworks for urban greenery.
• Practical Exercise: Assess current green spaces in a city and identify gaps and opportunities.

Module 2: Planning and Designing Sustainable Green Spaces

• Urban green space planning methods.
• Tree species selection for urban environments.
• Integrating green spaces into infrastructure projects.
• Inclusive and accessible green space design.
• Case Study: A city park redevelopment project that improved community health and safety.

Module 3: Tree Management and Maintenance Practices

• Tree planting techniques and site preparation.
• Soil health, irrigation, and nutrition.
• Pruning, pest, and disease control.
• Risk management and public safety.
• Practical Exercise: Develop a basic maintenance plan for an urban park or street trees.

Module 4: Community Engagement and Partnerships

• Community-led greening programs.
• Public-private partnerships in urban forestry.
• Awareness and education initiatives.
• Funding and resource mobilization strategies.
• Case Study: Citizen tree-planting campaigns sustaining urban forests.

Module 5: Monitoring, Sustainability, and Future Trends

• Green space performance indicators.
• Using technology to monitor tree health.
• Climate adaptation through urban forestry.
• Emerging trends in green infrastructure.
• Practical Exercise: Create a monitoring framework for urban green space performance.