Meet the 59 Tree Cities of the World

All of them are using forests and trees to make cities greener, healthier and happier places to live in

The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations), has announced a list of the Tree Cities of the World (TCW) as an example of the best places to live. In the list, you will find Paris, Lujbljana, Erevan, but also metropolises such as New York, San Francisco and Toronto, or the Italian cities of Milan, Turin and Mantua and then small towns such as Bradford (United Kingdom), Thunder Bay (Canada) or Tempe (Arizona).

These are just some of the first cities that have earned the title of 'Tree City' recognized by the Tree Cities of the World program, promoted by FAO and Arbor Day Foundation, which intends to create more resilient and sustainable cities. The list of 59 cities that achieved international designation was announced on 4th February 2020. Over 100 other cities have already pledged to participate - and meet the required standards - are expecting to qualify in the near future.

Investing in forest-based solutions towards a more sustainable and resilient model of urban development

The aim of FAO is to call cities to invest in forest-based solutions towards a more sustainable and resilient model of urban development. The Call for Action during the 1st World Forum on Urban Forests held in Mantova (Italy) in 2018 intended to provide a vision of how cities and towns could use forests and trees to make cities greener, healthier and happier places to live in.

Green city

The organization believes that through international efforts it can recognize cities and towns that are committed to ensuring that urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated. It is also a unique opportunity to connect with cities around the world in a new network dedicated to sharing and adopting the most successful approaches to managing community trees and forests.

Nowadays more than ever, trees and forests are a vital component of healthy, liveable, and sustainable communities around the world. Urban forests help define a sense of place and well-being where people live, work, learn and raise children.