Urban forests: evaluation method to management of green area

Abstract

This method aims to evaluate a group of indices by interaction and balance; it considers qualitative as well as quantitative aspects of Urban Forests for evaluation of elements such as: forests, wooden streets and wooden squares. In order to develop such proposal, several indices had been selected from specialized literature, mainly the ones that reveal the contribution of Urban Forests to society in relation to aesthetic aspects, quality of air, as well as flood and temperature control. Such indices had been certified in relation to their trustworthiness and relevance and they had been grouped in two sets: macro and micro ambient. The first group was composed to evaluate wider characteristics that are inherent to a set of individuals; the second one was proposed to evaluate characteristics of the vegetal individual itself, such as aspects of the root. Different weight had been attributed to the indices, in order to differentiate them by their relevance up to the method. As result it produced a method that uses a sustainability barometer for intersection of two axes, macro and micro ambient, in order to diagnose sustainability condition. It had been tested in two different areas, campus of Positivo University and Botanical Garden, both located in Curitiba, Paraná, and it proves as able to the sustainability condition.