IFPRA Science Task Force
Focus on science
Most people would agree that parks contribute to better, healthier and more competitive cities. But in order to make sure that parks are part of political agendas at different levels, sound evidence of park benefits as well as of park management planning and management needs has to be provided.
During the IFPRA World Congress in Hong Kong (November 2010), it was decided to establish a new Science Task Force (STF), with the aim toe strengthen IFPRA’s scientific foundations. The STF works from the needs for:
- Scientists and practitioners in the urban green space / park sector to work together, so that relevant research needs are identified, and new research findings are implemented.
- Providing a sound scientific foundation for IFPRA’s activities.
- Offering a platform for scientists and practitioners to meet.
- Compiling and dissemination sound, science-based arguments for developing and managing better parks for better cities, with focus on the benefits that parks provide to urban societies.
Task force members
The STF is led by IFPRA’s Vice President for Science, Prof. Cecil Konijnendijk of the University of Copenhagen. Other members of the TF are: Dr David Aldous, Australia; Dr Mardie Townsend, Australia; Dr Li Rusheng, China; Dr A. Christian Lindholst, Denmark; Dr Giovanni Sanesi, Italy; Dr Noor Azlin Yahya Noor, Malaysia; Dr Maggie Roe, UK; Dr Willie Nel, South Africa; Dr Gary Manross, USA.
Activities
- Preparing a brief science-based communication on why parks are important to cities and towns.
- State-of-art assessments of scientific knowledge regarding specific aspects of urban park management.
- Develop a science portal on the IFPRA webpages.
- Organise ‘science update sessions’ at various IFPRA events.
- Organise seminars on urban park research issues for young researchers and students.
- Make IFPRA membership more attractive to scientists – and establish an IFPRA scientist network.
- Engage with scientific organisations and networks within urban green space management.
Park benefit assessment
&Landscape, University of Copenhagen. A draft report will be available by March 2012.
Links
Websites and hubs
Reports
- ‘The Benefits of Urban Parks: Why America needs needs more city parks and open space’, report issued by the Trust for Public Land, (2006)
- ‘Trees Matter!’, booklet issue by former National Urban Forestry Unit
Scientific journals
- Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
- Environment and Behavior
- Landscape and Urban Planning
- Urban Ecosystems
- Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Contact
Contact the group’s coordinator for more information – and for finding out how to get involved.