Legal protection of urban trees: an essential measure to assist in the reduction of the urban heat island effect

Abstract

Trees grown in an urban setting have been shown to provide significant benefits for urban areas in reducing the urban heat island effect. While in some jurisdictions there are tree protection laws and policies many of those focus on the protection of trees of cultural or heritage significance. This article argues that there should be legislation and policies in place, designed to protect urban trees from removal solely because of their important role in reducing the urban heat island effect. Using, by way of example, the State of South Australia's tree protection controls contained in its land use planning legislation the article identifies the key elements of any urban tree protection system and some of the perceived problems with such protection.