goodmorningpapua.com-Head of the Environment and Hygiene Office of, Papua Province, Jace Mano, said the provision of urban forests is very important to maintain environmental ecosystems.
“In addition, it also creates the green open spaces or GOS in urban areas functioning as ecological, socio-cultural and aesthetic aspects,” said Mano at the Jayapura Mayor’s Office, Monday (21/6/2021).
According to Mano, the provision of urban forests has to fulfill the criteria for an ideal public space, such as a location that is easily accessible, comfortable, and provides a sense of security for its users.
“The lack of availability of the number of public green open spaces, especially urban forests and urban parks in the downtown area, slightly affects the function of urban forests and urban parks as green open spaces,” said Mano.
Mano said that in expanding the coverage of urban forests and green open space, it is needed a synergy from the community to the district, village and urban village levels.
“Based on the results of our analysis, the community wants public green open space functioning as a shade and lungs of the city, as a centre for interaction and communication, and recreational facilities accompanied by adequate facilities,” said Mano.
Deputy Mayor of Jayapura, Rustan Saru, said the Jayapura City Government (Pemkot) is committed to maintaining urban forests and green open spaces, since their existence is very important, such as reducing environmental pollution.
“Please, imagine that if there are no trees, it can certainly cause environmental disturbances such as heat and health. Urban forest and green open space are at least 30 percent or 3000 meters from a newly opened location of 1 hectare,” said Rustan.
According to Rustan, urban forest is a group of trees growing inside and outside of the city which is deliberately created to improve the urban environment in areas that should be used as urban forests and green open spaces.