Cecil Konijnendijk
Honorary Professor
Senior Advisor for the MUFL Program
Forest Sciences Building 2025
2424 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Canada
Research Areas:
For the past 25 years I have studied, taught and advised on the role of trees and green space in our cities and towns. My particular interests include green space governance (including community involvement), people-nature relationships and cultural ecosystem services, and urban forestry and urban greening. My work has brought me across the globe and I have always worked in close dialogue with decision-makers and practitioners, and I am eager to develop new research that has high practical relevance. Before coming to UBC, I worked at Wageningen University (Netherlands), the European Forest Institute (Finland), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden), and the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China).
My research and teaching at UBC have focused on some of the aspects above, with strong emphasis on governance and policy aspects of urban forestry. I co-developed and taught undergraduate courses such as UFOR100 Greening the City, UFOR402 Urban Forest Administration, Policy and Law, and the capstone course. I am currently on leave from my professorship at UBC, but am still serving as Program Director of our new Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (start in summer 2021).
Projects
Routledge Handbook on Urban Forestry Completed
January, 2016 – April, 2017
Together with Francesco Ferrini and Alessio Fini (both University of Florence) I edited a new Handbook on Urban Forestry, with 35 chapters by over 50 authors on all aspects of urban forestry.
GREEN SURGE – Green Infrastructure and Urban Biodiversity for Sustainable Urban Development and the Green Economy Completed
November, 2013 – October, 2017
I was the PI and Project Coordinator of this European-Union funded research project until my move to UBC. During the final stages of this project (which ends in November 2017) I am still contributing to some of the outputs and publications. Moreover I am a member of the project’s scientific advisory group.
An integrated approach to urban forestry for ecosystem-based adaptation Current
December, 2016 – December, 2020
This project led by postdoctoral fellow Tahia Devisscher adopts an innovative integrated approach to study social-ecological interactions that can enhance the management of urban forests for climate adaptation. Vancouver is one of the case studies.
The role of women in arboriculture and urban forestry Completed
December, 2016 – October, 2019
Project led by postdoctoral fellow Adrina Bardekjian. This research looks into the current role of women in the fields and professions of arboriculture and urban forestry, with focus on North America.
UBC campus tree inventory Current
May, 2017 – December, 2020
This joint effort with UBC Campus & Community Planning and the SEEDS programme aims to carry out a full, step-wise inventory and assessment of the urban forest at UBC’s Vancouver campus. As a first step, trees in the Stadium Neighbourhood were inventoried.
Do Rainbows Come in Green? Urban Forests and Multicultural Citizenship Completed
June, 2017 – December, 2017
This International Research Roundtable, funded and hosted by the Peter Wall Institute of Advanced Studies, will bring together experts and stakeholders from across the globe to discuss diversity challenges and opportunities in urban forestry. The event will was held in October 2017. An associated SSHRC Connection Grant provided further support to the event, and the development of a network and future research.
Carbon accounting – including Canada’s urban forests Completed
October, 2017 – March, 2018
Project funded by Environment Canada and led by Tree Canada. The aim is to improve carbon accounting of urban forests and urban forestry, as part of Canada’s overall carbon accounting for forests. Moreover, proposals will be developed for future policy and urban forest assessment.
Urban Forest Governance in Canadian Cities – Managing for Success and Handling Calamities Current
June, 2018 – December, 2020
SSHRC-funded project on urban forest governance in selected Canadian cities.
Awards
L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research 2013
Honorary membership, International Forestry Students’ Association 2010
Silver Medal of the St Petersburg State Forest Technical Academy 2003
IUFRO Certificate of Appreciation 2002
Tim Peck Young Scientist Award (through European Forest Institute) 1999
Selected Publications
Salbitano, F., Fini, A., Borelli, S., Konijnendijk, C. (2020). Urban Food Forestry: current state and future perspectives. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Fors, H., Ambrose-Oji, B., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Mellqvist, H., Jansson, M. (2020). Participation in urban open space governance and management Routledge
Zhang, L., Zhong, Q., …, Konijnendijk, C., et al. (2020). A conceptual framework for ex ante valuation of the ecosystem services of green spaces regenerated from brownfields Ecosystem Health and Sustainability
Xiu, N., Ignatieva, M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Zhang, S. (2020). Applying a socio-ecological Green Networks framework to Xi'an city, China Landscape and Ecological Engineering
Randrup, T.B., Buijs, A. Konijnendijk, C.C., Wild, T. (2020). Moving beyond the Nature-based Solutions discourse. Introducing Nature-based Thinking Urban Ecosystems
Yao, N., Konijnendijk, C.C., Yang, J., Devisscher, T., Wirtz, Z., Jia, L., Duan, J., Ma, L. (2019). Beijing’s over 50 million new urban trees – Strategic governance for large-scale urban afforestation Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 44, 126392
Xiu, N., Ignatieva, M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2019). Historical Perspectives on Green Structure Development: the examples of Stockholm, Sweden and Xi'an, China Landscape Research 44(8)
Van der Jagt, A., Smith, M.,…, Konijnendijk, C.C., et al. (2019). Co-creating urban green infrastructure connecting people and nature: A guiding framework and approach Journal of Environmental Management 233: 757-767
Pei, N., Wang, C., …, Konijnendijk, C.C., et al. (2019). Towards an integrated research approach for urban forestry: the case of China Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 46: 126472
Park, H., Kramer, M., Rhemtulla, J., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2019). Urban food systems that involve trees in Northern America and Europe: A scoping review Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 45: 126360
Nitoslawski, S., Konijnendijk, C., Steenberg, J., Galle, N. (2019). Smarter trees for smarter cities? Exploring trends, technologies, and turning points for smart urban forests Sustainable Cities and Society 51: 101770
Lin, Y., Ke, Y., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Yu, K., Zhong, Y., Liu, J. (2019). Bird eye analysis of skyline views from an elevated recreation trail—the case of the Fu Forest Trail, Fuzhou, China Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 47: 126543
Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2019). Urban Lifestyles: Forest Needs and Fears (Chapter 6) Forestry in the Midst of Global Changes (edited by Christine Farcy) / CRC Press, Taylor & Francis
Konijnendijk, C.C., Park, H. (2019). Optimising urban forestry: the food connection. Chapter 19. In: Wiskerke, H. (ed.), Achieving Sustainable Agriculture, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
Bardekjian, A., Nesbitt, L., Konijnendijk, C.C., Lötter, B.T. (2019). Women in urban forestry and arboriculture: Experiences, barriers and strategies for leadership Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 46/126442
Devisscher, T., Konijnendijk, C., Nesbitt, L., Salbitano, F., Cheng, Z.C., Lwasa, S., van den Bosch, M. (2019). SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Impacts on Forests and Forest-Based Livelihoods Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Møller, M.S., Olafsson, A.S., Vierikko, K., Sehested, K., Elands, B., Buijs, A., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2019). Participation through place-based e-tools: a valuable resource for urban green infrastructure governance? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 40: 245-253
Pauleit, S., Ambrose-Ojib, B., Andersson, E. (…), Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2019). Advancing urban green infrastructure in Europe: Outcomes and reflections from the GREEN SURGE project Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 40: 4-16
Chen, Z., Fu, W., Konijnendijk, C.C., Pan, H., Huang, S., Zhu, Z., Qiao, Y., Wang, N., Dong, J. (2019). National Forest Parks in China: Origin, Evolution and Sustainable Development Forests 10(4)
Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2019). Spirituality and Landscape Planning (Chapter 10) Chapter in: Zsolnai, L., Flanagan, B. (Eds.), International Handbook on Spirituality and Society / Routledge
Lafortezza, R., Chen, J., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Randrup, T.B. (2018). Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient Landscapes and Cities. Short communication Environmental Research 165: 431-441
59. Fu, W., Chen, Z., Zhu, Z., Liu, Q., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Qi, J., Wang, M., Dang, E., Dong, J. (2018). Spatial and temporal variations of six criteria air pollutants in Fujian province, China International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15(12): 2846
Fu, W., Chen, Z., Zhu, Z., Liu, Q., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Qi, J., Wang, M., Dang, E., Dong, J. (2018). Long-term atmospheric visibility trends and their relations to socioeconomic factors in Xiamen city, China International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15(10): 2239
Huang, S., Liu, Q., Fu, W., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Qi, J., Zhu, Z., Chen, Z., Dong, J. (2018). Longing for rural landscapes: Impact of rural dwellings and local tree configuration on homesickness Sustainability 10(11): 3943
Chan, C.S., Lawal, M.M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Randrup, T.B. (2018). Starting conditions for the green branding of a city Journal of Destination Marketing & Management 10: 10-24
Cecil C. Konijnendijk (2018). The Forest and the City: the cultural landscape of urban woodland (2nd, updated edition) Springer, Berlin
Roman, L., Pearsall, H., …, Konijnendijk, C.C., et al. (2018). How our urban forests came to be: exploring social and ecological legacies Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Vol. 31, 157-168
Konijnendijk, C.C., Rodbell, R., Salbitano, F., Sayers, K., Jiménez Villarpando, S., Yokohari, M. (2018). The changing governance of urban forests Unasylva FAO
Konijnendijk, C., Stephen, B., Nesbitt, L. (2018). Vancouver: envisaging the world’s greenest city. In: Forests and Sustainable Cities: inspiring cities from around the world. FAO, Rome.
Abdul Aziz, N.A., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Nilsson, K. (2018). Recreational use of green space in Malaysian cities International Journal of Business and Society 19(S1): 1-16
Liu, Q., Fu, W., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Xiao, Y., Zhu, Z., You, D., Zhu, N., Huang, Q., Lan, S. (2018). Do local landscape elements enhance individuals’ place attachment to new environments? A cross-regional comparative study in China Sustainability 10(9): 3100
Liu, Q. Zhang, Y., Lin, Y., Zhang, W., Huang, Q., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Lan, C. (2018). The relationship between self-rated naturalness of university green space and students’ restoration and health Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 34: 259-268
Jim, C.Y., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Chen, W. (2018). Acute challenges and solutions to urban forestry in compact and densifying cities Journal of Urban Planning and Development 144(3)
Xiu, N., Ignatieva, M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2018). Historical Perspectives on Green Structure Development: the examples of Stockholm, Sweden and Xi'an, China Landscape Research 44(3)
Konijnendijk, C. (2018). Advancing the public health agenda of urban forestry Arborist News 27(4): 34-36
Lafortezza, R, Konijnendijk, C.C. (2018). Green Infrastructure - Approach and Link to Public Health Benefits In: Bird, W. & van den Bosch, M. (Eds.), Nature and Public Health: The Role of Nature in Improving the Health of a Population. Series 2015. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Beatley, T., Konijnendijk, C.C. (2018). Urban landscapes for public health In: Bird, W. & van den Bosch, M. (Eds.), Nature and Public Health: The Role of Nature in Improving the Health of a Population. Series 2015. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Fors, H., Nielsen, A.B., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Jansson, M. (2018). From borders to ecotones – private-public co-management of urban woodland edges bordering private housing Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Vol. 30, 46-55
Lafortezza, R., Chen, J., Randrup, T.B., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (eds.) (2017). Special issue on nature-based solutions Environmental Research
Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2017). Managing an urban forest of opinion – new governance models for green infrastructure In: Cherubini, L., Mattioni, M., Caccavale, C. (Eds.), Green Infrastucture: Nature based solutions for sustainable and resilient cities, Book of Abstracts, Orvieto, 4-7 April 2017, pp. 200.
Konijnendijk, C. (2017). Cities and Nature: Urban forestry for greater biocultural diversity Chapter 2. In: Campbell, M. (Ed.) Biological Conservation in the Twenty-first Century: A Conservation Biology of Large Wildlife. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY.
Pauleit, S, Zoelch, T., Hansen, R., Randrup, T.B., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2017). Nature-based Solutions and Climate Change – Four Shades of Green Springer Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas (editors: Nadia Kabisch et al.)
Lafortezza, R., Chen, J., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Randrup, T.B. (2017). Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient Landscapes and Cities Environmental Research
Krajter Ostoić, S., Vuletić, D., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Stevanov, M., Živojinović, I., Mutabdžija-Bećirović, S., Lazarević, J., Stojanova, B., Blagojević, D., Stojanovska, M., Nevenić, R., Pezdevšek Malovrh, Š. (2017). Citizen satisfaction with urban forests and green space: Results from selected South-european cities Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Vol. 22, 93-103
Ferrini, F., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Fini, A. (2017). Handbook of Urban Forestry Routledge - Taylor & Francis
Sheppard, S., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Croy, O., Palomo, A.M., Barron, S. (2017). Urban forest governance and community engagement Chapter 15. In: Ferrini, F., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Fini, A. (eds.), Handbook of Urban Forestry / Routledge
Miller, R.W., Hauer, R., Werner, L., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2017). The history of trees in the city Chapter 2. In: Ferrini, F., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Fini, A. (eds.), Handbook of Urban Forestry / Routledge
Krasny, M., Russ, A., Svendsen, E., Enqvist, J., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., (2017). Environmental Governance Cornell University Press In: Russ, A. & Krasny, M. (Eds.), Urban Environmental Education Review, pp. 103-111
Xiu, N., Ignatieva, M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Chai, Y., Wang, F., Cui, T., Yang, F. (2017). A socio-ecological perspective of urban green networks: the Stockholm case Urban Ecosystems 20: 729-742
Mellqvist, H., Kristensen, L., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2016). Participatory green structure planning for linking urban and rural landscapes – Examples from a Swedish municipality Nordic Journal of Architectural Research 2016(3): 71-96
Vierikko, K., Niemelä, J., Elands, B., Buijs, A., Haase, D., Kabisch, N., Kowarik, I., Fischer, L., Luz, A., Olafsson, A.S., Andersson, E., Száraz, L., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2016). Considering the ways biodiversity helps enforce urban green infrastructure in times of urban transformation Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 22: 7-12
Lerstrup, I., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2016). Forest sites in a Danish forest preschool: Affordances and preferences Landscape Research, Vol. 42, 47-62
Jasmani, Z., Ravn, H.P., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2016). The influence of small urban parks characteristics on bird diversity: A case study of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Urban Ecosystems 20(1), 227-243
Xiu, N., Ignatieva, M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2016). The challenges of planning and designing urban green networks in Scandinavian and Chinese cities Routledge Journal of Architecture and Urbanism 40(3): 163-176
Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2016). Landscape Laboratories for the World! 'Scape!
Konijnendijk, C. (2016). Urban forestry and arboricultural research in Europe: what’s new? International Society of Arboriculture Arborist News 25(6): 50-51
Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2016). Tree agency and urban forest governance Smart and Sustainable Built Environment 5(2)
Morgenroth, J., Östberg, J., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Nielsen, A.B., Hauer, R.J., Sjöman, H., Chen, W.Y., Jansson, M. (2016). Urban Tree Diversity – Taking stock and looking ahead Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 15: 1-5
Bastrup-Birk, A.M., Reker, J., Nihat, Z., …, Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., …, Zizensis, M. (47 authors) (2016). European forest ecosystems: state and trends European Environment Agency, Copenhagen
Morgenroth, J., Nielsen, A.B., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C., Ӧstberg, J., Harðarson, S.B. (2016). Urban Tree Diversity for Sustainable Cities. Policy brief. CARe-FOR-US II, Copenhagen
Haaland, C., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2015). Challenges and strategies for urban green space planning in cities undergoing densification: a review. Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14(4): 760-771
Plambech, T., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C. (2015). The impact of nature on creativity – A study among Danish creative professionals. Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14(2): 255-263.
Krajter Ostoic, S., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2015). Exploring global scientific discourses on urban forestry Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14(1): 129-138
Levinsson, A., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Öxell, C., Fransson, A.-M. (2015). Visual assessments of establishment success in urban Prunus avium (L.) and Quercus rubra (L.) in relation to water status and crown morphological characteristics. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14(2): 218-224
Fors, H., Fröik, J.M., Murphy, M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2015). User participation in urban green spaces - for the people or the parks? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14(3): 722-734
Chan, C.-S., Marafa, L.M., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2015). Changing perspectives in urban park management: a longitudinal study of Hong Kong. Managing Leisure 20(1): 56-76
Molin, J.F., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2014). Between Big Ideas and Daily Realities – The role and perspectives of Danish municipal green space managers on public involvement in green space maintenance Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 13(2): 553-561
Smith, H., Pereira, M., Hull, A., Konijnendijk, C. (2014). The governance of open space: decision-making around place-keeping Routledge In: Dempsey, N., Smith, H., Burton, M. (Eds.), Place-Keeping: Open Space Management in Practice.
Konijnendijk, C.C. (2014). From Government to Governance: Contribution to the political ecology of urban forestry Routledge, Oxford/New York In: Sandberg, L.A., Bardekjian, A., Butt, S. (Eds.), Urban Forests, Trees and Greenspace: A Political Ecology Perspective, pp. 35-48.
Nielsen, A.B., Annerstedt, M., Maruthaveeran, S., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2014). Species richness in urban parks and its drivers: A review of empirical evidence Springer Urban Ecosystems 17(2): 305-327
Lawrence, A., De Vreese, R., Johnston, M., Sanesi, G., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C. (2013). Urban Forest Governance: towards a framework for comparing approaches Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 12(4): 464-473
Nielsen, A.B., Konijnendijk, C.C., Wiström, B., Jensen, R.B. (2013). Municipal woodland in Denmark: resources, governance and management Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 28(1): 49-63
Keller, J.K.K., Konijnendijk, C.C. (2012). A comparative analysis of municipal urban tree inventories of selected major cities in North America and Europe International Society of Arboriculture Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 38(1): 24-30
Konijnendijk, C.C. (2010). The role of forestry in the development and reform of green belts Taylor & Francis Planning Practice and Research 25(2): 239-252
Konijnendijk, C.C. (2008). The Forest and the City - the cultural landscape of urban woodland Springer
Mertz, O., Ravnborg, H.M., Lövei, G., Nielsen, I., Konijnendijk, C.C. (2007). Ecosystem services and biodiversity in developing countries. Introduction to a special issue. Biology and Conservation 16(10): 2729-2737
Janse, G., Konijnendijk, C.C. (2007). Communication between science, policy and citizens in public participation in urban forestry - Experiences from the NeighbourWoods project Elsevier Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 6(1): 23-40
Tyrväinen, L., Gustavsson, R., Konijnendijk, C.C., Ode, Å. (2006). Visualization and landscape laboratories in planning, design and management of urban woodlands Elsevier Forest Policy and Economics 8(8): 811-823
Caspersen, O., Konijnendijk, C.C., Olafsson, A.S. (2006). Green planning and land-use – the recreational landscape of Greater Copenhagen. Geografisk Tidskrift 106(2): 7-20
Konijnendijk, C.C., Randrup, T.B., Nilsson, K., Schipperijn, J. (2005). Urban forests and trees - a reference book Springer
Konijnendijk, C.C. (2004). New perspectives for urban forests: Introducing wild woodlands Springer In: Kowarik, I. and Körner, S. (Eds.) Wild Urban Woodlands, pp. 33-45.
Konijnendijk, C.C. (2003). A decade of urban forestry in Europe Elsevier Forest Policy and Economics 5(3): 173-186