Sustainability and Challenges of Climate Change Mitigation through Urban Reforestation - A Review

The realities of Climate change and its untold implications on the livelihood of man are no longer new worldwide. In attempts to subdue the negative implications of Climate change scenario globally, several measures have being suggested and being put in place. One of such measures is urban reforestation especially in the developing nations where forest resources have extremely and uncontrollably exploited. Most of cities in developing nations are almost devoid of regularly maintained trees for whatever purpose. Thus, the enormous roles which urban tree performs are lacked in most cities. In order to subdue excessive heat in cities arising from exposure of urban land areas urban reforestation exercise needs to be embarked upon. The investigation was carried out through desk studies and review of relevant publications to examine what it entails to have a sustainable reforestation programme in cities. The study revealed that several factors need to be taken into consideration if sustainable urban reforestation will be achieved, especially in developing countries. These factors include urban soil nutrients status investigation, appropriate tree type study, public perception about the tree types, relevant legal instrument to achieve successful reforestation exercise in cities among others were found to be salient to this exercise. Urban reforestation has enormous potentials to subdue Climate change consequences, including urban renewal if adequate provision is made for its sustainability, especially in developing countries. To ensure this is realized it is recommended that relevant ministry/agency could be put in charge for the maintaining, cutting and replanting of urban tree and all that are involved in urban tree sustainability.