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Íslenska

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English

International Conference organised as part of the Icelandic chairmanship of the Nordic Council Reykjavik, Iceland, September 16th - 20th, 2009
back-to-back with the Europen Forest Network Annual Meeting.

Forestry serving urban societies in the North Atlantic

Introduction

Background
In the North Atlantic Region, the social services provided by forests play an important role. With the high level of urbanisation in many of these countries, forests and other green areas are of great importance as recreational settings for urban dwellers. A growing body of research has illustrated the many positive impacts of forest recreation on human health and well being, while forests have also been found to fulfill a wide range of educational, cultural and social needs. In order to ensure that forests cater for the needs for urban societies, sound planning, design and management are required. Approaches such as urban forestry can provide a framework for this. Urban forestry comprises an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to the planning and management of all forest and tree resources – ranging from street trees to peri-urban woodlands – in and near urban areas, with the aim of providing multiple benefits. Based on central concepts and approaches such as sustainable forest management, long-term and detailed resource planning, and multi-functionality, forestry needs to develop a strong role within multidisciplinary teams dealing with urban green structures and the demands of urban populations.

Conference aims
This international conference will bring together researchers and practitioners from the North Atlantic Region to 1) present and discuss the state-of-art of research on forestry serving urbanised societies; 2) find ways of better implementation of state-of-art knowledge; and 3) developing a joint research agenda for the future.

Target audiences
Key audiences will be 1) the research community; 2) forest planners and managers; and 3) policy makers, both at city and national level. Focus will be on the North Atlantic Region (Nordic countries, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, Canada, Russia, USA, etc.), but experts from other countries (e.g. the Baltic States) are welcome to join.

Organisers
The event is organised as part of the Icelandic chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers, in collaboration with the Nordic-Baltic Centre of Advanced Research on Forestry Serving Urbanised Societies (CARe-FOR-US) and the European Forest Network. Local hosts are Icelandic Forest Research (Research branch of the Iceland Forest Service) and the Icelandic Forestry Association.

Programme

Date and time	Session	Presentations and speakers
Thursday 17/09
09:00 - 10:00	Opening session Chair: Aðalsteinn Sigurgeirsson	Welcome by hosts, dignitaries, event co-organisers Introduction to the conference
10:00 - 10:30	Coffee break
13:30 - 12:00	Plenary session: Forestry serving urbanised societies in the NA Region I Chair: Cecil Konijnendijk	Ass. Prof. Brynhildur Davíðsdóttir (Iceland) – Ecosystem services and forest ecosystems View CV View abstract View lecture Kjell Nilsson (Denmark) – Forests, Trees and Human Health and Wellbeing - Final Outcome of COST Action E39 View CV View abstract View lecture Liisa Tyrväinen (Finland) - Sustaining social benefits of urban forests - recent contributions of research to practice View CV View abstract View lecture Roland Gustavsson (Sweden) - The Landscape Laboratory Concept in Scandinavia - Beyond the mainstream in landscape planning and design View CV View abstract View lecture Discussion
12:00 - 14:00	Lunch and networking
14:00 - 16:30	Parallel session: Social qualities of forests as affected by accessibility, structure and forest elements Moderator: Liisa Tyrväinen	Keynote: Simon Bell (UK) – Urban forests, quality of life and social exclusion View CV View abstract View lecture Maija Sipilä, Liisa Tyrväinen and Harry Schulman (Finland) – Planning intercultural nature View CV View abstract View lecture Sherry Curl (Iceland) - Using the Importance-Performance Estimate in forest recreation planning and management View CV View abstract View lecture Kirsi Mäkinen (Finland) - Experiencing and designing time-spaces in the urban forests View CV View abstract View lecture Debate about future research agenda
14:00 - 16:30	Parallel session: Communication, partnerships and community forestry Moderator: Clive Davies	Keynote: Andy Kenney (Canada) – The Canadian Urban Forestry Strategy: Challenges and Successes View CV View abstract View lecture Chris Baines and Nerys Jones (UK) - Achieving green infrastructure in the UK's urban communities: new strategic planning processes View CV View abstract View lecture Jeroen Glissenaar and Jeroen Voskuilen (Netherlands) – Arnhem approach to urban forestry View CV View abstract View lecture Jay Bolthouse (Japan and USA) - Re-assembling satoyama woodlands: Forest policy change and urban community forestry in peri-urban Tokyo View CV View abstract View lecture Debate about future research agenda
17:30 - 19:00	Reception at Café Flora
Friday 18/09
09:00 - 10:30	Plenary session: Forestry serving urbanised societies in the NA Region I Chair: Anders Busse Nielsen	Cecil Konijnendijk (Denmark) and Kevin Collins (Ireland) –  Room to grow: Facilitating meaningful participation within urban forestry support programmes View CV View abstract View lecture Dadi Mar Kristofersson, University of Iceland – Economic estimation of the recreational value of Heiðmörk forest area in Iceland View CV View abstract View lecture Clive Davies, Newcastle University - Shaping a strategic future for urban forestry View CV View abstract View lecture Discussion
10:30 - 11:00	Coffee break
11:00 - 13:30	Health aspects of forest recreation Moderator: Cecil Konijnendijk	Keynote: Ulrika Stigsdotter (Denmark) – Relationship between distance to and use of green space, physical activity and health-related quality of life - Results from a Danish national representative survey View CV View abstract View lecture Sus Sola Corazon - The healing garden Nacadia: Nature-based therapy for people with stress-related illness View CV View abstract View lecture Hugh McNish et al. (UK) - Health aspects of forest recreation – the Branching Out programme in Scotland View CV View abstract View lecture Anna-Maria Palsdottir (Iceland) et al. - Heidmörk – the first urban recreational forest/woodland site in Iceland View CV View abstract View lecture Debate about future research agenda
11:00 - 13:30	Design and management of forests for recreation and other services (including use of exotic and native species). Moderator: Roland Gustavsson	Keynote: Anders Busse Nielsen (Sweden) - Design and management across urban woodlands zones View CV View abstract View lecture Björn Wiström and Dan Pålsson (Sweden) - Structural development in young stands View CV View abstract View lecture Janis Donis (Latvia) - Silvicultural systems, stated visual preferences and forest recreation in Latvia View CV View abstract View lecture Toivo Tammik - Tallinn's green area –privilege or punishment View CV View abstract View lecture Debate about future research agenda
13:30 - 14:30	Lunch
14:30 - 16:30	Panel debate: defining a joint research agenda for the future Moderator: Simon Bell	Panel introduced by findings from the four parallel sessions (session chairpersons)
16:30 - 17:00	Closing of the conference Chair: Aðalsteinn Sigurgeirsson	Including presentation of main conference findings
19:00 - 22:00	Conference dinner
Saturday 19/09
09:00 - 17:00	Full day excursion – Icelandic landscapes

 

Topics for parallel sessions

• Health aspects of forest recreation.
• Social qualities of forests as affected by accessibility, structure and forest elements.
• Monetary value of forest services.
• Design and management of forests for recreation and other services.
• Exotic and native species for attractive urban forests.
• Communication, partnerships and community forestry.

 

Keynote speakers Among the speakers at the conference will be:

• Dr. Simon Bell, Edinburgh College of Art, UK 
• Ass. Prof. Brynhildur Davíðsdóttir, University of Iceland, Iceland
• Clive Davies, Newcastle University, UK
• Prof. Dr. Roland Gustavsson, SLU, Sweden 
• Dr. Andy Kenney, University of Toronto, Canada
• Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dr. Dadi Mar Kristofersson, University of Iceland
• Dr. Kjell Nilsson, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dr. Anders Busse Nielsen, SLU, Sweden
• Dr. Ulrika Stigsdotter, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (provisional commitment)
• Prof. Dr. Liisa Tyrväinen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Finland

 

Programme committee

• Dr Aðalsteinn Sigurgeirsson (chair), Icelandic Forest Research
• Dr Cecil C. Konijnendijk, University of Copenhagen
• Tróndur Leivsson, Environmental Inst. (Umhvørfisstovan), Faroe Islands
• Dr Anders Busse Nielsen, SLU
• Brynjólfur Jónsson director, Icelandic Forestry Association
• Samson Bjarnar Harðarson, Icelandic Agricultural University

Abstracts and Papers

Abstracts can be submitted for voluntary oral and poster presentations dealing with one of the parallel session themes described above. Abstracts should not be longer than 300 words and include a title and full speaker details. Please submit your suggested contribution in Word-format to Dr Cecil Konijnendijk, cck@life.ku.dk, no later than June 30, 2009. Outputs Ideas exist for publishing findings from the conference as a Tema Nord report, and possibly also in scientific journal ‘Urban Forestry & Urban Greening'.

Registration

To register, go here. The conference will be held at the Grand Hotel Reykavik (www.grand.is).

Travel to Iceland

• Icelandair
• Iceland Express

Travel information and useful links

Reykjavík

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland and its surroundings, is the home of more than half of the country's 300.000 inhabitants. Named after the steam from the geothermal areas the city is now known for its clean air and beautiful surroundings. In Reykjavik you have opportunities for historical sites, natural beauty, museums and galleries, public parks, excellent shopping, a wide range of leisure activities, hotels, restaurants and a remarkably lively artistic scene.
Visit Reykjavík

Climate

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate ocean climate, cool in the summer and surprisingly mild in the winter. During the summer temperatures generally average between 12°C and 15°C (50°-54°F) in the populated lowlands. The weather in Iceland can be a bit unpredictable and tourists should be prepared.
Weather

What to wear

Due to the fact that the weather is unpredictable in Iceland, it is wise to bring warm clothes, rainwear, etc, especially for those who are interested in outdoor activities. As there are ample opportunities for swimming in warm spring water, it might be a good idea to bring a bathing suit

Currency exchange

The currency in Iceland is Icelandic Krona (ISK). Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks, which will also advance cash against all major credit cards. Cash can also be obtained against these cards in all banks, ATMs are to be found in many places.
Currency convertor

Excursions

Reykjavík Excursions
Iceland Excursions

 

 

European Forest Network annual meeting

Introduction

The European Forest Network (EFN) is an unofficial network of national forest societies and associations of Europe. The main goal is to promote the exchange of information relevant to forests, forestry and forest policy among its members, which is achieved through an Annual Meeting of EFN delegates. The societies eligible to become members of the EFN are those which best represent, in each country, the comprehensive interests of people engaged directly and indirectly in the sustainable use of forest resources.

Programme

Friday September 18, 2009 20:00
Welcome dinner

Saturday September 19, 2009
09:00-17:00 Full day excursion in collaboration with the international conference Forestry serving urban societies in the North Atlantic region

Sunday September 20, 2009
09:00-13:00 Delegate presentations and discussions
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:10 Meeting closing