Miyawaki technique for sustainable urban greening and ecological restoration: A review

Urban areas are contending with ever-changing man-made and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, pollution, and the escalating threat of rising sea levels, which pose serious consequences to local communities and the broader regional ecology. In this context, the restoration of forest ecosystems and the establishment of small new forests within urban settings emerged as promising solutions to augment ecosystem sustainability. This technique involves growing diverse native tree species closely together in a small area. Raising diverse dense tree species in a Miyawaki forest system are exposed to optimal light that encourages plants to grow upwards instead of outwards, which results up to 30 times denser and 10 times faster tree growth than traditional methods. Miyawaki forests do garner enthusiasm and advance sustainable ecologically friendly society in urban settings. Therefore, this review aims to encompass an inclusive evaluation of the ecological impact of Miyawaki forests in urban environments, the meticulous selection of plant species, the transformative influence on reforestation practices in urban settings, and the broader implications for environmental conservation and restoration of urban landscapes. This review underscores the efficacy of Miyawaki forests in distinct environmental scenarios, its potential for long-term environment sustainability, and the preservation of the biodiversity. Furthermore, it examines the social and economic implications associated with the implementation of Miyawaki forests in urban environment.