The face of the future: the United States and Sweden share the same goals for the environment. We can learn from each other's means of getting there - Perspectives

American Forests, Wntr, 2003 by Cheryl Kollin

Choosing ecological solutions over built infrastructure is a cornerstone for building long-term sustainable cities around the world. Thus far, the Swedish government has adopted this ecological mindset, without the need to justify their urban forests economically as we do in the U.S. The city of Stockholm has recognized that by building inward, mapping green structures, and recognizing the value of surface water filtration, it can accommodate growth while puffing its green structure to ecological use, protecting biodiversity and providing extensive recreational parks for residents.

But more American-like pressures may loom as urban growth pressures increase, Swedish planners told me. And as imagery becomes more widely available in Europe for civic uses, local governments will become more sophisticated in using GIS, not only for mapping but for analysis and planning.

In the U.S., the economic bottom line dictates priorities and decides how funding will be spent. Savvy urban foresters realize they can't promote trees on good looks alone. AMERICAN FORESTS has combined an understanding of urban ecology with GIS technology and packaged a user-friendly method of calculating urban forests as municipal assets.

Our goal is to disseminate these tools to communities in order to change a fundamental mindset of how cities are planned and developed--one where urban ecosystems are planned into urban development. Whether it's a commitment to social ideals or just good economics, sustainable development is the face of the future in every country.

Cheryl Kollin is director of AMERICAN FORESTS' Urban Forest Center.