Book contents
- The Cambridge Handbook of Commons Research Innovations
- The Cambridge Handbook of Commons Research Innovations
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Introduction
- Part I Revisiting the Origins and Evolution of Commons Thought
- Part II Averting New Tragedies
- Part III New Forms of Contested Commons
- Part IV Urban Landscape and Infrastructure as a Commons
- 10 Seeing New York City’s Urban Canopy as a Commons
- 11 The City as a Commons Reloaded
- 12 Urban Commons Architecture
- Part V Reassessing Old and New Institutions for Collective Action
- Part VI Managing and Restoring the Commons
- Part VII Law, Legal Theory, and the Commons
- Part VIII Technology, the Internet, and the Future of Commons Governance
- Index
10 - Seeing New York City’s Urban Canopy as a Commons
A View from the Street
from Part IV - Urban Landscape and Infrastructure as a Commons
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 October 2021
- The Cambridge Handbook of Commons Research Innovations
- The Cambridge Handbook of Commons Research Innovations
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Introduction
- Part I Revisiting the Origins and Evolution of Commons Thought
- Part II Averting New Tragedies
- Part III New Forms of Contested Commons
- Part IV Urban Landscape and Infrastructure as a Commons
- 10 Seeing New York City’s Urban Canopy as a Commons
- 11 The City as a Commons Reloaded
- 12 Urban Commons Architecture
- Part V Reassessing Old and New Institutions for Collective Action
- Part VI Managing and Restoring the Commons
- Part VII Law, Legal Theory, and the Commons
- Part VIII Technology, the Internet, and the Future of Commons Governance
- Index
Summary
While forests are among the most classic common resources, urban forests are generally not thought of as commons, or even as forests. Instead, urban trees are divided up by ownership – private trees, street trees, park trees. They are typically planted and managed individually – truly a case where we fail to see the forest through the trees.
The value of urban forests is clear. Trees that thrive offer significant amenities to their immediate neighbors. Together these trees form the urban canopy, which provides multiple ecosystem services – improving air quality, moderating the heat island effect, managing stormwater, and providing habitat.
As the value of urban trees has become clearer, cities have invested in ‘million tree’ planting initiatives. Unfortunately, these programs too often reinforce social inequalities. Looking at New York City, this chapter examines tree planting through an environmental justice lens, and proposes that considering the urban forest as a unified public commons can be a path forward towards a more equitable city.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge Handbook of Commons Research Innovations , pp. 113 - 123Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021