New York City, lead by Mayor Bloomberg developed the MillionTreesNYC program. This project will fund a citywide goal to plant 1 million new trees throughout all five boroughs. They will achieve this goal with planting street trees and adding to the urban forest. Around 60% of the trees will dwell within parks and public spaces. Though Mayor Bloomberg headed up the project it was initiated by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and New York Restoration Project (NYRP). MillionTreesNYC is just one part of the PlaNYC program, which will put New York City on the map as the first sustainable city of the 21st century. The plan includes transportation planning, compact development, open space zoning, creating an energy network, and increasing water and air quality. NYC has created 10 objectives to be completed by they year 2030, which contains MillionTreesNYC.
The program is important because of the constant growth New York City is seeing. According to NYC DPR , the city could obtain an annual benefit of $122 million from the new trees. This benefit includes air quality improvements, energy savings (reduction of heating costs), removal of carbon dioxide, reducing runoff pollution, and increase property values. The addition of trees will be extremely beneficial to the health of NYC citizens. As we all know trees provide great amounts of oxygen, which can help counter the dangerous health effects of pollution. Trees also provide significant canopy cover for NYC sidewalks. This tree cover could possibly reduce the heat island effect created by wide barren urban streets. Trees remove carbon dioxide exhausted from vehicles, from the surrounding environment. A reduction of storm water runoff is also a benefit of street trees in the city. The presence of street trees motivates property owners to revitalize the neighborhoods and even increases property value as the trees mature.
This is a really great thing to hear about happening. That one of the biggest cities is going forward with a plan like this is a source of hope for cities everywhere. I enjoy hearing about local governments taking the initiative to help reduce pollution and minimize their environmental impact. It is also pleasing to see that they are taking action NOW, rather than waiting for new, breakthrough technology. Trees are such a simple yet powerful tool, and we know the benefits already. I just hope they are able to succeed. After all, how much space for trees is there in NYC?
ReplyDeleteBy planting trees, NYC will probably increase their tourism each year. Because of the tall buildings and long avenues, shade covers much of Manhattan and creates wind tunnels in the winter. By adding trees to line the streets, hear will be kept in and they can also block much of the wind tunnel effect. In the summer, the heat will be more bearable seeing as how trees will create the much needed shade to counteract the urban heat island effect. Tourists and even regular visitors will eb more likely to visit during summer and winter despite the harsh weather conditions if there are superfluous trees to modify its effects.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome, and will have so many different positive aspects. If only all big cities could do this! I wonder where they are going to get the trees from? Who is doing the plantings? Could this big a potential job market, at least for the very short term? I also am curious about the other options NYC has considered, like green roofs or permeable paving.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the above comments! Its very hopeful to see such a large city doing this and we can only hope that many others soon follow. I did some research on green roofs because of how beneficial they can truly be to the environment. Unfortunately I found that they are apparently extremely expensive, not like just planting a tree. In my eyes though the environmental benefits that are gained by them are more important than the high price.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brett about the comments above!! this is so cool!!! How many jobs is this providing? I really hope that New York's plan and project will inspire other cities to do the same thing! I am also interested what other green technologies and ideas New York is going to implement. Does New York have a long -term city planning idea? What kind of boost to the economy will this give? Where are they getting the money for all of the trees? and hopefully they will replant the forest from where the trees are coming from. Are there any other cities that are planning projects like this??
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