Generally, environmental negligence is known in rapidly growing cities. However, this is the opposite for this African city, which is leading Africa, with a culture that respects tree planting and tree preservation.
Certainly, Kampala has stood out to be the first city in Africa to be named among the Tree Cities of the World.
What is Tree Cities of the World?
Tree Cities of the World is a programme founded by The Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). They recognise cities around the globe that have committed to growing and maintaining their urban forest.
What does it communicate to us about the landscape design future in Uganda?
Certainly, Kampala joins a network of like-minded cities. These recognise the importance of trees in building healthy, resilient and happy cities. As a result, this explodes their willingness to be sustainability and urban forestry leader.
Likewise, landscapers should expect growth in the greening practice. The promotion of more and more greening cultures around the city will definitely improve. Such as good plant and soil management. This will shark promotion of more strict plant laws to preserve the green.
“Planting in a metropolitan area comes with a myriad of benefits beyond the recognition of this programme. Increasing the number of trees in a community can help reduce costs for energy, stormwater management, and erosion control.” Says Kampala City Council on their website which highlights a lot about what landscapers should expect.
The programme has now exposed Kampala City Council to a network of like-minded city leaders in urban forestry. These these will celebrate and share best practices to cultivate greenery in the community.
Tree Cities of the World aims to create more green spaces in urban areas. They do this recognising the cities that do it well. “Planting more trees is the quickest and easiest way to improve a city’s tree canopy and invest in a brighter future.” Says Kampala Council.
We as landscapers should expect a transformation in the embracing of green in Kampala.
To conclude, I believe the future is bright landscaping in Uganda.
Joshua Gwamoiza (Landscape designer in Uganda)- Author
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