Toronto low - income and racialized neighbourhoods tend to have fewer trees . Here why

Janet McKay, executive director of LEAF, has collaborated with the City of Toronto to address tree equity in the city s neighborhoods. The tree equity score analyzer (TESA), developed by LEAF, American Forests, and the city, measures tree canopy alongside demographic and socioeconomic data. The tool reveals uneven tree access across Toronto, with lower-income and racialized areas having fewer trees. Tree equity refers to the fair distribution of trees in all neighborhoods, regardless of race or income, to ensure everyone benefits from trees environmental, health, and economic advantages. TESA uses open-source data to generate neighborhood scores from zero to 100, with lower scores indicating a greater need for investment. Toronto s tree equity scores show that industrial areas and neighborhoods with lower canopy cover tend to have lower household incomes and higher Black, Indigenous, and People of Color populations. The TESA tool allows for more detailed analysis of inequities at the neighborhood and street levels. Factors contributing to sparser tree canopy in disadvantaged neighborhoods include historical discriminatory practices like redlining, urban planning prioritizing grey infrastructure over green, and smaller property sizes in lower-income areas. Tree equity matters as it ensures all residents have access to the benefits of trees, especially in the face of climate change. To increase tree equity, municipalities and community groups must engage with diverse communities, understand the underlying issues, and remove barriers to tree planting. The TESA tool can inform decision-makers and raise awareness of tree inequity across Toronto and other large Canadian cities. While more research is needed, it is clear that tree equity is a significant issue in urban areas.

Source: theglobeandmail.com
Published on 2024-09-11

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