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Home → Native Plant Network → Journal → Articles → Native plants and urban sustainability

Native Plants Journal - Article

Native plants and urban sustainability

Abstract:

Native plants have a potential role to play in making our cities sustainable and in reducing carbon emissions. I present, based on my experience as a landscape designer, 15 possible applications of native plants in sustainable urban systems. These range from passive solar retrofits to greywater systems and are loosely arranged into the general headings of the urban forest, water conservation, and "grow your own." Within each entry, I delineate existing unsustainable practices, offer sustainable alternatives, discuss the role of native plants, and make a few design and species suggestions.

Issue & Pages:

Fall 2008 Pages: 323-333

Article Download:

7-3NPJ315-323.pdf (PDF document)

Authors:

  • Heiko Koester

Keywords:

heat island effect, urban forests, urban lumber, living roof, bioswale, greywater, roundwood, perennial food plant, native medicinal plant, cover crops