The Role and Importance of Trees in Reykjavík, Iceland

• Main Author: Neukirch, Alexis Marie, 1994-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Umhverfis- og auðlindafræði; Tré; Skógrækt; Umhverfisáhrif; Borgarskipulag; Reykjavík; Veita; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/32794

Urban trees provide valuable ecological and social services that benefit cities and their residents; however, attitudes towards trees vary by region. This study investigates the importance of urban trees for residents of Reykjavik, Iceland and assesses factors influencing their attitudes. The research combines qualitative interviews with five local experts on urban forestry with a quantitative questionnaire survey of 163 residents in Reykjavík. The results show that planners make decisions based on a practical role of trees as wind blocks or for landscaping, while residents lack awareness of trees in the urban area. The responses to the questionnaire demonstrate that residents believe that trees have positive effects and grow well in their neighborhood, yet they are less clear about whether they are satisfied with the current trees in their respective neighborhoods. Several socio-demographic factors influence attitudes, such as age or people‘s origin. Residents raised in rural Iceland were significantly less likely to agree that open spaces are more traditionally Icelandic than areas with trees than those raised in Reykjavík. The trees in Reykjavik are heavily influenced by actions of urban planners and perceptions of citizens. Only through clear communication with the public and decision-making informed by regionally specific attitudes can an urban forest thrive and maximize the benefits of trees for all residents. Þéttbýlis-tré veita dýrmæta vistfræðilega og samfélagslega þjónustu sem nýtist borgum og íbúum þeirra; samt sem áður, viðhorf til þessara trjáa eru mismunandi á milli staða. Þessi rannsókn varðar mikilvægi þéttbýlis-trjáa fyrir íbúa Reykjavíkur á Íslandi og metur þá þætti í viðhorfum til þeirra. Rannsókn þessi sameinar eigindleg viðtöl við fimm sérfræðinga um skógarnýtingu í þéttbýli og megindlega könnun sem 163 Reykvíkingar tóku þátt í. Niðurstöðurnar sýna fram á að borgarskipulag tekur ákvarðanir um gróðursetningu trjáa út frá hagnýtum eiginleikum ...