Strategic Integration of Floriculture into Urban Climate Mitigation and Greening Frameworks

Climate change, urbanization, and the destruction of natural green infrastructure have become key global environmental challenges, especially in urban settings where the built environment is predominant and ecosystem services are compromised. Floriculture, which is the art and science of growing ornamental plants, flowers, and decorative landscaping species, presents a multidimensional solution to these challenges due to its ability to make important contributions towards climate change mitigation and green urbanization. By increasing vegetation cover, floriculture can contribute significantly to mitigating the urban microclimate, alleviating the urban heat island effect, and capturing atmospheric carbon. Ornamental crops, when correctly placed in urban settings, can also enhance air quality by taking in pollutants and emitting oxygen, while at the same time promoting urban biodiversity through the provision of habitats for pollinators and beneficial organisms.