Expanding the Use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in Urban Forest Management and Green Spaces
Urban areas are growing rapidly around the world, with over half the global population now living in cities—a figure expected to increase significantly in coming decades. This urban expansion brings numerous environmental and social challenges, including habitat fragmentation, rising temperatures, air pollution, and reduced access to green spaces. In response, urban planners and environmental managers are turning to urban forests and green spaces to enhance livability, climate resilience, and biodiversity in cities. Yet, the design and management of these spaces often rely heavily on Eurocentric planning models and overlook alternative knowledge systems—particularly Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
TEK, rooted in the long-standing, place-based relationships that Indigenous peoples and local communities have with the land, offers valuable perspectives and practices that can enrich and diversify urban forest management. While traditionally associated with rural and ancestral territories, TEK is increasingly relevant in urban contexts, especially as many Indigenous peoples now live in cities and continue to maintain strong cultural and ecological knowledge.
The Value of TEK in Urban Ecosystem Design and Stewardship
Integrating TEK into urban forest management involves rethinking how green spaces are conceptualized—not merely as aesthetic or recreational features, but as living systems that support ecological health, cultural identity, and community well-being. TEK can contribute to this process in several important ways:
- Place-Based Plant Selection and Ecological Restoration
TEK includes deep understanding of native plant species, their ecological functions, seasonal cycles, and cultural uses. This knowledge can inform urban reforestation and ecological restoration efforts by promoting the use of native and culturally significant species that are resilient to local environmental conditions. - Cultural Landscape Design
Many Indigenous communities have traditional practices that blend ecological health with cultural expression—such as the maintenance of medicinal gardens, ceremonial spaces, or food forests. These principles can be adapted to create urban green spaces that reflect the cultural diversity and heritage of Indigenous and other marginalized communities. - Sustainable Water and Soil Practices
TEK systems often include techniques for managing water flow, reducing erosion, and enhancing soil fertility—such as terracing, mulching, and natural composting. These approaches can support more sustainable and climate-resilient management of urban green infrastructure. - Community Stewardship and Intergenerational Learning
Incorporating TEK into urban forest programs encourages Indigenous-led stewardship, strengthens intergenerational knowledge transmission, and builds community ownership over green spaces. This enhances the social sustainability of urban forestry initiatives. - Environmental Justice and Indigenous Visibility
Many urban green spaces are developed in ways that exclude or marginalize Indigenous voices. Centering TEK in planning processes not only improves ecological outcomes but also supports Indigenous resurgence, cultural revitalization, and urban environmental justice.
Examples of TEK in Urban Forest Contexts
- Toronto, Canada: Indigenous land-based learning programs are integrated into public parks and arboretums, guided by local First Nations knowledge keepers who lead workshops on native plant use and ecosystem healing.
- Melbourne, Australia: The City of Melbourne has worked with Aboriginal groups to co-design urban green corridors that integrate traditional plantings, cultural interpretive signage, and Indigenous-led land management practices.
- Seattle, USA: Urban Indigenous organizations have partnered with local government to restore native forest patches using TEK principles, incorporating culturally significant species like cedar and camas, and reviving ceremonial uses of land.
Barriers to Integration and Strategies for Moving Forward
Despite growing interest, the inclusion of TEK in urban forest management still faces significant challenges:
- Institutional Resistance: Urban forestry is often managed by technical agencies with rigid planning frameworks that may not accommodate Indigenous worldviews or collaborative governance.
- Lack of Recognition: Indigenous urban residents may not be recognized as knowledge holders or stakeholders in land use decisions.
- Loss of Access and Continuity: Many urban Indigenous communities face limited access to land, resources, and intergenerational knowledge transmission.
To overcome these barriers, cities can:
- Formally recognize Indigenous rights and relationships to urban land, including through land acknowledgments, co-management agreements, and Indigenous-led land trusts.
- Support Indigenous governance and capacity in urban green space initiatives, including funding for TEK-led projects and partnerships.
- Reframe public green spaces as sites for cultural practice, healing, and community engagement—not just recreation or conservation.
Conclusion
Expanding the use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in urban forest management and green spaces opens the door to more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities. TEK offers not only practical strategies for ecological restoration and biodiversity enhancement but also a relational worldview that values reciprocity, care, and respect for all life.
By centering Indigenous knowledge and leadership in the urban landscape, cities can not only improve ecological health but also take meaningful steps toward reconciliation, cultural revitalization, and environmental justice.