The politics of street trees

Abstract

Very much a book for our times, the volume focuses on the politics of street trees together with the actors, institutions, and processes, which govern their planning, planting, and maintenance. The multi-disciplinary innovative approach is especially important in the context of the mounting environmental and societal challenges of the twenty-first century. The work reveals much about the nature of our modern world, urban living, social change, and emerging political conflicts. The book is divided into three main sections: (1) Historic perspectives – providing different historical perspectives on street trees and politics, celebrating diversity in different cultures. (2) Values, policy, and management – with discussion of street tree values, policy, and management. This addresses contemporary issues of significance and their contributions to our urban environment (both physically and philosophically). This second section explores cultural idiosyncrasies and those from perspectives of political economy and challenges the neo-liberal visions, which dominate current political narratives. (3) Community engagement, civic action, and governance. This section has case studies of community engagement, civil action, and governance with international examples showing contrasting approaches associated with different political directions and intentions. The constraints of law and the importance of people-power are considered. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the volume delivers an information base with insight and interpretation relevant to academics, practitioners, politicians, activists, and the wider stakeholder public. Potentially this will help contribute to a fairer political debate to promote more democratic environments, which are sustainable, equitable, comfortable, and importantly for urban communities, healthier. The editors have done a fine job producing a tight and coherent volume from nearly 30 individual contributions. The book is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs and line drawings.