Shaping Sustainable Cities through Cutting-Edge Research

The webinars have brought together researchers and urban stakeholders to explore how urbanization affects forests and green areas, offering valuable insights for professionals in urban planning, city development, or anyone interested in forest research.

More than 20 episodes are now available on SLU Play, featuring the latest research, practical examples, and discussions about the cities of the future. The series also showcases projects and collaborations focused on the role of forests in sustainable societies, covering themes such as climate, biodiversity, forest management, and interdisciplinary perspectives.

The series includes sessions with knowledge exchanges and reflections, all of which can be accessed on SLU Play.

Episode 1: What is Urban Forest?

What are urban forests? Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, Director at Nature Based Solutions Institute

Episode 2: Urban Forestry in Planning

Urban Forestry from a planning perspective Karin Fällman Lindqvist, Head of sustainability, Skogsällskapet and Marcus Hedblom, Professor in lanscape management, SLU

Episode 3: Citizen Data and Environmental Justice

Volunteered geographic information, urban forests, & environmental justice Dr Alec Foster, Assistant Professor ar Illinois State University 

Episode 4: Forests and Welfare in Recreation

Urban forests for a welfare society: running and the forest ideal in Swedish recreational planning Professor Mattias Qviström, SLU

Episode 5: Trees Beyond Forests and Carbon Capture

Trees outside woodlands and their contribution to carbon sequestration Dr. Cat Scott, University of Leeds

Episode 6: Urban Forests, Wildlife, and Indigenous Mumbai

(Un)taming urban forests, wildlife, and Indigenous peoples: Mumbai’s Aarey Purabi Bose, SLU

Episode 7: Urban Greenery in History

Urban Forestry and Green Infrastructure – a historic perspective Anders Lindhagen, SLU

Episode 8: Urban Green Areas in Latin America

Adaptive governance of urban green spaces across Latin America – Insights amid COVID-19 Dr. Adan L Martinez Cruz, SLU

Episode 9: Futures of Urban Forest Management

In Swedish, Framtidsanalyser för skötsel av tätortsnära skog Torgny Lind, SLU

Episode 10: Urban Trees in Swedish Cities

In Swedish, Svenska städers trädbestånd – utveckling och utmaningar de senaste fem åren Johan Östberg, Trädkontoret

Episode 11: Diversified Forest Management

In Swedish, Ett mer variationsrikt skogsbruk Helena Dehlin, Skogsstyrelsen

Episode 13: Nature-Based Solutions

Co-producing knowledge on Nature-Based Solutions with municipalities Åsa Ode Sang, Professor, SLU

Episode 14: Tree Selection

Tree selection for a sustainable urban forest in future climates Henrik Sjöman, SLU

Episode 15: Biocities and Urban Forestscapes

Biocities and Urban Forestscapes Professor Guiseppe Scarascica-Mugnozza, SLU

Episode 16: Movement in Urban Green Spaces

Survey your moves – with focus on urban green spaces Klara Smedberg, SLU

Episode 17: Management and Governance

Governance & Management of Urban Forests Thomas B Randrup & Geovana Mercado, SLU

Episode 19: Urban Greenery and Health

The effect of nearby greenspace on the health of city dwellers Dr. Sjerp de Vries, Wageningen university 

Future Forests is Umeå University’s platform for interdisciplinary forest research in collaboration with SLU and Skogforsk. Its work combines humanities and social sciences with natural resource research, ecology, and history, aiming to address current challenges, develop knowledge, and foster dialogue between academia and society to promote sustainable forest management in its broadest sense.

Text and image: Anngelica Kristoferqvist