SCARP student Kylie Clark awarded CIP President's Scholarship

The research that won Kylie this award

Re-wilding the City: Applying the Miyawaki Method to Small Urban Spaces

My research looks at the application of Miyawaki method mini forests in cities around the world with an equity-based lens. The Miyawaki method involves planting very dense, multi-layered mini forests in areas as small as 100m2. By planting native species closely together, studies find that the method encourages competition, improves ecosystem resiliency, and increases growth rate, resulting in a mature forest in 15-20 years. While popular in Asia and Europe, it is just starting to be implemented in North American cities, with Canada planting 15 mini forests last year as part of the National Mini Forest Pilot.

I wanted to understand current approaches to urban mini forest projects, including the level of consideration given to equity and community in their siting, planning, design, and implementation in order to identify both best practices and equitable implementation opportunities. I have found that this method is an excellent way to build community, increase social resilience, and invite neighbours into place-based climate action and environmental care. The participatory nature of the method engages the local community, fostering a sense of ownership and providing an opportunity to connect with nature. Re-wilding using the Miyawaki method thus presents a sustainable and near-term intervention option for increasing urban green space and mitigating climate impacts, while building community, increasing social resilience, and providing health and well-being benefits to priority neighbourhoods. Cities could utilize this method not only to achieve environmental goals (green space or canopy targets) but also equity and community engagement goals.