Short answer
Incorporate urban forest ecosystem services into design calculations and justifications, treating them as valuable, quantifiable assets for urban resilience and sustainability.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Discover Forests (2025)
- Method
- Quantitative modelling and survey
- Sample
- 208 circular plots (8.4032 ha)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Urban forests deliver substantial quantifiable environmental and economic benefits, acting as critical infrastructure for sustainable city development. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Discover Forests. Using Quantitative modelling and survey with 208 circular plots (8.4032 ha), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate urban forest ecosystem services into design calculations and justifications, treating them as valuable, quantifiable assets for urban resilience and sustainability.
Urban forests provide $37 million annually in ecosystem services, including $9.95 million from air pollution removal.
Urban forests deliver substantial quantifiable environmental and economic benefits, acting as critical infrastructure for sustainable city development.
Discover Forests · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Total carbon stored by urban forests: 229,000 tons.
- 02Annual carbon sequestration: 2.13 t ha−1 year−1.
- 03Annual air pollutant removal: 1406.3 tons.
- 04Annual cooling services value: $3705.93 USD.
- 05Total estimated monetary worth of urban forests: $33.4 million USD annually for various services.
Application
Design takeaway
Incorporate urban forest ecosystem services into design calculations and justifications, treating them as valuable, quantifiable assets for urban resilience and sustainability.
How to apply
When designing urban spaces, use similar modelling tools to quantify the ecosystem services provided by proposed or existing green infrastructure, and present these findings alongside traditional design metrics.
Project actions
- 01When researching urban design, look for studies that quantify the benefits of green spaces.
- 02Consider using environmental modelling tools to assess the impact of your design choices on ecosystem services.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Uses a recognized modelling tool (i-Tree Eco) for quantitative assessment.
- +Combines ecological data with public perception for a holistic view.
Limitations
The accuracy of the i-Tree Eco Model depends on the quality of input data. Public perception surveys can be subjective.
Reliability & validity
The i-Tree Eco Model is a validated tool for ecosystem service assessment. The reliability of public perception data depends on the survey methodology and sample representativeness. The study's validity is strong for the specific context of Chattogram.
Think critically
How might the perceived value of ecosystem services differ across various demographic groups within a city, and how could design respond to these differences?
Design Principles
"Design with nature: Integrate natural systems and their quantifiable benefits into the built environment to enhance sustainability and human well-being."
Understanding the tangible value of urban green spaces allows designers and urban planners to advocate for their preservation and integration. This data can inform design decisions, demonstrating how natural systems contribute to climate mitigation, resource management, and public well-being.
What This Means for Your Design
Trees in cities do more than just look nice; they help clean the air, cool things down, and store carbon, which is worth a lot of money and makes people happier.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the quantified ecosystem services as evidence to support the environmental benefits of your design solution.
- 2.Cite the monetary values to demonstrate the economic viability and return on investment for sustainable design features.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the significant, quantifiable contributions of urban forests to city sustainability, providing an annual economic value of over $33 million USD through services like carbon sequestration and air pollution removal. This underscores the importance of integrating natural systems into urban design to achieve environmental and economic benefits.
Source
Discover Forests
Assessment of urban forest ecosystem services using the i-Tree Eco Model in Chattogram City Corporation, Bangladesh
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about urban forests provide $37 million annually in ecosystem services, including $9.95 million from air pollution removal?
- Incorporate urban forest ecosystem services into design calculations and justifications, treating them as valuable, quantifiable assets for urban resilience and sustainability. Evidence: Discover Forests (2025).
- Why does "Urban forests provide $37 million annually in ecosystem services, including $9.95 million from air pollution removal." matter for design?
- Understanding the tangible value of urban green spaces allows designers and urban planners to advocate for their preservation and integration. This data can inform design decisions, demonstrating how natural systems contribute to climate mitigation, resource management, and public well-being.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Incorporate urban forest ecosystem services into design calculations and justifications, treating them as valuable, quantifiable assets for urban resilience and sustainability.
- What were the main findings?
- Total carbon stored by urban forests: 229,000 tons.. Annual carbon sequestration: 2.13 t ha−1 year−1.. Annual air pollutant removal: 1406.3 tons.. Annual cooling services value: $3705.93 USD.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative modelling and survey with 208 circular plots (8.4032 ha).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Discover Forests.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing urban spaces, use similar modelling tools to quantify the ecosystem services provided by proposed or existing green infrastructure, and present these findings alongside traditional design metrics.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is specific to Chattogram City Corporation; results may vary in different urban contexts. Monetary valuations are estimates and can be subject to different economic models.