Umgang mit dem Wald im Ballungsraum – einige Gedankensplitter | Dealing with the Forest in Peri-Urban Areas – a few thoughts

Abstract

This essay is an appeal to apply «Urban Forestry» not just to city trees, parks and the immediate surrounding city forest and to focus not only on the recreational use of the forest. The forest in peri-urban areas is an integral part of the landscape. Four themes are addressed in this essay. Today's rather inappropriate distribution of forest should increasingly be considered in the light of regional planning elements, from the point of view of aesthetic enhancement and as a connecting element for biotope systems. The paramount point of view of regional planning will be discussed in connection with the most important questions. These are: How can we ensure that settled areas once again become part of the cultural landscape in a way that does justice to the term and offers more quality of life? In addition, we will explore the question of whether«agroforestry» can be revived, perhaps in the form of open commons with gentle transitions from open green country to forest. The way the forest is becoming increasingly full of equipment highlights the significance of the notion of «forest park» and makes the use of timber appear like the «murdering» of trees. We suggest helping the inhabitants of agglomerations to view using wood, which is a natural resource from local forests, as a direct contribution to ensuring that land use is sustainable and adapted to local conditions.