Social and Ecnomic Values of Urban Forestry: Malaysian Perspective

编号 zgly0000344219

文献类型 期刊论文

文献题名 Social and Ecnomic Values of Urban Forestry: Malaysian Perspective

作者 NORINIH  SREETHERANM 

作者单位 ForestResearchInstituteMalaysia(FRIM)  Kepong52109KualaLumpur 

母体文献 中国林业科技: 英文版 

年卷期 2004,3(3)

页码 39-52

年份 2004 

分类号 F333.862  F299.338 

关键词 马来西亚  城市森林  城市绿地系统  城市生态系统  社会效益  经济效益 

文摘内容 The concept of urban forestry is not a new one for town planners and foresters in Malaysia. The difference between the concept now and in the early days is that, in the past, people associated urban forestry primarily with the planting of trees, rather than seeing it as involving the total development of a designated area. Urban forestry activity in Malaysia started way back in 1778 with the planting of Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus) trees in Malacca, followed by large-scale planting of trees in Penang in 1802. A majority of trees planted at that time were exotic species, such as Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus), rain tree (Samanea saman), and broad-leaved mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), which were meant to provide instant shade and greenery. A more holistic concept of urban forestry, which not only encompasses simply planting trees but also involves making provisions for preserving the ecosystem, started only in the 1980s. Since then, the concept of urban forestry has begun to gain interest and appreciation, encouraging locals to get involved with tree-planting campaigns as part and parcel of many urban forestry activities. Today, efforts of government agencies such as the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), together with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur, have helped to inculcate interest in planting trees or greening the nation and to enhance appreciation of the concept of urban forestry as a whole. The importance of urban forestry from the perspective of both economic and social values is reflected not only in the prices of homes located in urban green areas but also in the amount of budget allocated for maintenance and further development of those areas. Everyone living in an urban area knows how important urban forestry activities are in day-to-day activities. Therefore, to help readers better understand and appreciate the needs of an urban population, this paper highlights not only the roles of urban green spaces but also discusses the social and economic values that Malaysians place on urban forestry。