Incorporating tiny forests in the neighbourhood of Singapore - Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

‘Tiny forests’ have gained traction across the globe as a promising solution for restoring natural ecosystems and enriching biodiversity in highly urbanized areas. In land scarce cities, planting forests could mitigate the impacts of climate change and other urban socio-ecological challenges. This article investigates the potential for tiny forests to be part of the greening strategy in Singapore – a compact city that is already championing greening initiatives. Using a case study of the Jurong West neighbourhood, we conducted a survey aiming to understand people's perceptions and use of urban nature. We complement these results with a rapid assessment of land availability confirming the feasibility of implementing tiny forests in Singapore. From the survey, we found that residents were receptive to the idea of having nature closer to their residential areas despite highlighting disadvantages such as undesirable insects and animals. Factors such as minimal spatial requirements and planting methods that enhance trees growth make tiny forest a useful part of the landscaping portfolio to achieve national greening principles. Overall, we find that tiny forests have the potential to become part of the city-state's greening strategies.