Sustainable Plants and Practices for Resilient Urban Greening

Dear Colleagues,

The urban environment is faced with numerous changes and challenges that are reflected in the functions performed by greenery in cities. Increasing air temperatures, increasing levels of air pollution, large amounts of precipitation and strong winds inevitably cause a need for new strategies regarding the selection of resistant plant species and sustainable practices in horticulture and landscape architecture.

It is crucial to recognize and use plant species that can produce positive results in the conditions of the urban environment. With the use of sustainable plant species, it is possible to ensure resilient and multifunctional landscapes in urban environments. Considering that, the scientific community must focus on finding methods that will lead to the appropriate selection of resilient plant species and conducting research related to the sustainable management of green areas in the increasingly challenging conditions of the urban environment. The application of resilient plant species would bring numerous benefits in cities, such as increasing the functionality of green areas and creating a favorable microclimate. This would have a positive effect on people's health, and the urban environment would become more favorable for the life of their inhabitants. In addition, it would lead to easier management of green spaces, which would become more functional and sustainable and therefore more economically profitable. Increasing the functionality and sustainability of green areas with resilient practices will bring the satisfaction to all users, above all the local communities, which will improve social well-being. Key guidelines for the achievement of the stated goals include the use of resistant, sustainable and climate-adapted plant species, which will firstly reduce the negative effects of climate change at first, as well as the need for intensive maintenance of green areas in climate change-affected cities. Sustainable practices would improve the quality of cities through sustainable and multifunctional green spaces that would fulfill all their functions, such as ecological, economic and social. The application of resilient plant species along with sustainable practices in urban landscapes would ensure an increase in the quality of life for all city inhabitants.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Mirjana Ljubojevic
Dr. Jelena Čukanović
Dr. Marko Kebert
Guest Editors

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