Benefits of tropical urban vegetation

The Ecosystem Services in Urban Landscapes team has published their research findings, providing insights to how tropical cities can maximise the benefits from nature.

by Geraldine Ee Li Leng

In Singapore, green spaces play an important role in cooling the air, supporting native biodiversity and enhancing the health and well-being of residents. These benefits, which help mitigate the negative impacts of urbanisation and climate change, are also known as ‘ecosystem services’.

Based upon research by the Ecosystem Services in Urban Landscapes project at the Future Cities Laboratory, with inputs from the Centre of Urban Greenery and Ecology at the National Parks Board, a new booklet  has been published. It describes the properties of different types of urban vegetation and urban soil in Singapore, and the ecosystem services they provide. The publication also presents insights on how residents in Singapore use urban vegetation and perceive the services and disservices it provides.

DownloadEcosystem Services in Urban Landscapes: Benefits of Tropical Urban Vegetation (PDF, 4 MB) contains recommendations for designing and managing urban vegetation to provide the greatest benefits for residents. The publication is not only meant for planners and designers, but for anyone who is interested in making Singapore a green and liveable city—a City in Nature.  

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