In Japan The relationship between urban development and green protection is complex and often controversial. Although the country is often mentioned for its attention to nature and for innovative practices such as the Trees transplant instead of their demolitionthe reality is more multifaceted.
In some urban areas, such as the Jingu Gaien District in Tokyo – a historical area that houses one of the most iconic tree -lined avenues in Japan, famous for its Ginkgo Biloba rows that are tinged with gold in autumn – measures have been taken for preserve or transfer trees during large renewal projects.
The urban redevelopment project by billions of yen consists in the demolition of sports stadiums and in the construction of skyscraperswith the aim of “modernizing” the neighborhood. Initially the plan included the removal of over 700 trees. After the protests of environmentalists and citizens, the project was reviewed: according to the official documentation, the total number of “saved” trees will increase, passing from 1.904 to 2.304 And Many specimens will be transplanted instead of demolished.
The main cause of the decrease in tokyo arboreal coverage is linked to road projects
However, the reassurances have not applauded the criticisms. The opponents of the project claim that Transplant does not guarantee the survival of treesespecially the oldest and most monumental ones, and that damage to local ecosystems could be irreparable. In January 2024, workers have started cutting trees in the park To make room for construction sites, unleashing new waves of protests and attracting the attention of the international media.
Furthermore, in most of the other cases the logic of development prevailed over environmental conservation. A recent study published on Urban Forestry & Urban Greening in fact he underlined how The main cause of the decrease in the Arborea coverage in Tokyo is precisely linked to road projects: new infrastructures or the expansion of existing ones often lead to the massive removal of trees, rarely replaced or transplanted.
Although therefore in some situations Japan adopts practices that respect the environment such as trees transplantation, these are not the norm. The pressures of urban development and modernization they often risk having the better of urban green and and the expenses are poor trees that are cut down without mercy.
