Page 18 - Landscape-Issue136(2)

FEATURE

SAVING THE URBAN FORESTS OF DURBAN

By Dr Jonathan Foley

The explosive growth of urbanisation and the rise of mega cities in the 21st century
has caused stress amongst its inhabitants. Some cities employing multi-disciplinary
teams of town planners, engineers and landscape architects have produced amazing
results in connecting the landscape to the city. Singapore now boasts spectacular

open space systems of planted urban forests and gardens that deliver the benefits
of living ecosystems directly to its high-rise apartments through a web of elevated
platforms, cycle tracks and promenades.

n South Africa, Johannesburg is
renowned for its urban tree planting
Iand leafy green suburbs, while
Pretoria is painted in purple each
October by its extensive avenues of
Jacarandas. This article focuses on
describing a few of the social and
ecological benefits of urban forests
and protected areas in Durban, namely
Pigeon Valley and Virginia Bush. The
latter is now under imminent threat of
development despite being officially
gazetted as a protected area in 2018.
Readers will be able to sign a petition
in support of saving this valuable asset.
Forest breathing, biophilia and
other social benefits
Forest breathing or forest bathing is a
process of relaxation to help de-stress
and boost mental health; it is known
in Japan as shinrin yoku and simply Purple crested Loerie, found in the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve. Photo by Jacques de Speville
involves being calm and quiet amongst Flower of the Natal Loquat. Photo by Chris Wahlberg
the trees, observing nature around you
whilst breathing deeply. Re-establishing
the link between humankind and nature
has been recognised by sociologists as
‘biophilia’ or love of nature. Research
suggests even brief exposure to
nature can alleviate psychological
stress and improve long term health
conditions such as anxiety disorders
and depression. By incorporating
the concept of biophilia into urban
design, planners can tend to the
psychological health of city residents
through the establishment of parks
and planting of urban vegetation. This
includes the preservation, protection
and management of existing forest
remnants in the city.
Forests in urban settings can also
offer stewardship opportunities
for communities to become more
connected with, and educated on,
their environmental surroundings.
Whether this includes hands-on
restoration projects, a walk through the
park or social gatherings, community
engagement with urban forests
allows people to develop a deeper
understanding of nature.

16 Landscape SA • Issue 135 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za