Future Forests: Renaturalizing Urban and Peri Urban Landscapes for People, Biodiversity and Resilience

For almost two centuries, urbanization has been achieved by conquering land and using the natural environment as a disposable commodity. As a result, we have depleted our forests, wetlands, and soils. These effects have impacted the quality of life in urban areas, as well as the health of urban residents. And yet, the same pattern of development continues to be used, even as its negative consequences are amplified by climate change. Our forest conservation and restoration efforts, shaped by constant struggles against development, are reactive, opportunistic and ad-hoc rather than strategically planned.

In a world where biodiversity is at a tipping point, how can we conserve and restore forests within and around urban areas? This panel discussion will pose that question to a group of experts from the fields of forestry, urban studies, landscape architecture, and architecture.

• Simone Borelli (Forestry Division, United Nations) 
• Liz O’Brien (Forest Research, UK Government) 
• Fabiano Lemes de Oliveira (Politecnico di Milano) 
• Jana VanderGoot (University of Maryland)

Moderated by Danijela Puric-Mladenovic (Daniels Faculty)

For more information, visit: daniels.utoronto.ca