INTRODUCTION In August 2022, Cork City Council adopted its first Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy as part of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028. Green and Blue Infrastructure, or ‘GBI’, is a term used to describe the network of natural and semi-natural spaces and corridors in the city. Cities can be viewed as living organisms, with GBI running like veins and nerves through the built environment. These veins include systems of connected vegetation, soil and waterways that form the natural ecosystem, within which the urban fabric lies. This connected network provides for people, biodiversity, and the operation of natural systems. Trees are a fundamental building block of any GBI network. At present, there are over 310,000 trees and over 1,400 kilometres of hedgerows in Cork City’s administrative area. Found in varied settings including city streets, public parks, back gardens, educational and businesses campuses, riverbanks, and woodlands, these trees fulfil many purposes: they are fundamental for human health and well- being and for the natural environment, an essential part of Cork City’s character and heritage, and a valuable economic asset. Given the fundamental importance of trees, Cork City has an objective of increasing its tree cover. But doing so is not always straightforward. Urban environments are complex and can present several challenges for trees. In addition, Cork is a growing city with ambitious development targets and an expanding urban environment. Integrating existing trees and planting new ones takes careful design to ensure their longevity and health. Collaboration and working together as a community will also be essential, as an estimated 17% of total tree canopy in the city is publicly owned by Cork City Council, with the majority being in private or institutional ownership.
This first Tree Strategy, which was adopted in April 2024, has been prepared to address these issues. It sets out Cork City Council’s internal policies and specific action plan through to 2028 (the remaining timeframe of the current City Development Plan) to
Carry out and support more NEW TREE PLANTING in the city
MANAGE public trees
RETAIN existing trees
and further develop the information base and foundations necessary for the creation of a long-range tree strategy for Cork City, including the development of additional ecological corridors and woodlands.
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[ Cork City Council - Tree Strategy ]
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