TREES

Patterns of urban development have given rise to several environmental and public health concerns, including air and water pollution, respiratory illness, and urban-heat induced human mortality. Many municipalities have developed intensive urban forestry campaigns, many of which guide the growth and management of the urban canopy infrastructure. Understanding the linkages between urban canopy and public health will better inform these local planning decisions to address public health concerns and environmental justice... Poor urban air quality is an important public health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified particulate pollution and other byproducts of combustion as a major contributor to ill health In addition, impervious surfaces in urban areas trap and store heat, resulting in heat waves which can overwhelm a person's ability to thermoregulate, sometimes leading to death, especially among the poor, elderly, and those living alone. Because forests play a role..