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Chan, A P C, Wong, F K W and Yang, Y (2016) From innovation to application of personal cooling vest. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 5(02), 111-24.

Jukic, D and Carmichael, D G (2016) Emission and cost effects of training for construction equipment operators: A field study. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 5(02), 96-110.

Kayan, B A, Forster, A M and Banfill, P F G (2016) Green Maintenance for historic masonry buildings: an option appraisal approach. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 5(02), 143-64.

Lundgren, M S (2016) Energy and architectural consequences of Swedish building code. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 5(02), 125-42.

Sajjadian, S M (2016) Dynamic modelling of solar storage system: a case study of leisure centre. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 5(02), 165-75.

van den Bosch, C C K (2016) Tree agency and urban forest governance. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 5(02), 176-88.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: biocultural diversity; environmental governance; non-human agency; place making; urban forestry; urban trees
  • ISBN/ISSN:
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-07-2015-0017
  • Abstract:
    Purpose – The role of urban forests and urban trees in creating vibrant and resilient cities is widely recognised. Urban forest governance as the strategic decision and rule making for urban tree resources is no longer solely the domain of governmental actors, but occurs rather often as network governance also involving businesses and civic society. However, governance theory usually does not consider the role of non-human agency, which can be considered problematic due to, for example, the important role of urban trees in place making. The purpose of this paper is to provide further insight into the importance of considering tree agency in governance. Design/methodology/approach – Taking an environmental governance and actor network theory perspective, the paper presents a critical view of current urban forest governance, extending the perspective to include not only a wide range of human actors, but also trees as important non-human actors. Findings – Urban forest governance has become more complex and involves a greater range of actors and actor networks. However, the agency of trees in urban forest governance is seldom well developed. Trees, in close association with local residents, create places, something which needs to be better recognised in governance. Case studies show that this type of non-reflexive agency of urban trees often has emerged in the case of acute threats to urban trees or woodlands. New approaches such as those of biophilic urbanism and biocultural diversity can assist with better integration of tree agency in governance. Originality/value – Urban forest governance is an emerging field of research which has seldom addressed tree agency. Thus the perspective on urban forest governance is enriched, beyond the dominant post-neoliberal and anthropocentric perspective.