Colonialism is a significant legacy across most aspects of urban form, the nature and distribution of public green spaces, and tree species composition in many cities of the Global South. However, the legacy effects of colonialism on urban green infrastructure and the uses thereof have only recently come under scrutiny. Here we collate information from South Africa on urban greening and interpret it through a colonial and apartheid legacy lens in relation to the distribution and types of urban nature found and their resonance with contemporary needs as an African country. The analysis indicates marked inequalities in public green space distribution and quality between neighborhoods designated for different race groups during the colonial and apartheid periods, which continues to be reproduced by the post-colonial (and post-apartheid) state. Additionally, in the older, former colonial neighborhoods non-native tree species dominate in parks and streets, with most of the species having been introduced during the colonial period. Such colonial introductions have left a burdensome legacy of invasive species that costs billions of Rands annually to keep in check. Lastly, the forms of nature and activities provided in public urban green spaces remains reminiscent of the colonial norm, with little recognition of African worldviews, identity and needs. We conclude in emphasizing the necessity for urban authorities and planners to address these anachronistic legacies through adopting a more inclusive and co-design approach with respect to the extent, location and types of urban nature provided, as well as the types of cultural symbols and activities permitted and promoted.

中文翻译：

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殖民和种族隔离对南非城市绿化的影响：空间、物种和适宜性

在全球南方的许多城市，殖民主义是城市形态、公共绿地的性质和分布以及树种组成的大多数方面的重要遗产。然而，殖民主义对城市绿色基础设施及其使用的遗留影响直到最近才受到审查。在这里，我们整理了来自南非的关于城市绿化的信息，并通过殖民和种族隔离遗留的视角来解释它，这些信息与发现的城市自然的分布和类型及其与非洲国家当代需求的共鸣有关。分析表明，在殖民时期和种族隔离时期，为不同种族群体指定的社区之间的公共绿地分布和质量存在显着不平等，后殖民（和后种族隔离）国家继续再现这种不平等。此外，在较旧的前殖民社区，非本地树种在公园和街道上占主导地位，其中大部分树种是在殖民时期引入的。这种殖民引入留下了繁重的入侵物种遗产，每年需要花费数十亿兰特来控制。最后，公共城市绿地中提供的自然形式和活动仍然让人想起殖民规范，几乎没有认识到非洲的世界观、身份和需求。最后，我们强调城市当局和规划者有必要通过在提供的城市自然的范围、位置和类型以及文化符号和活动的类型方面采用更具包容性和协同设计的方法来解决这些不合时宜的遗产允许和促进。前殖民街区非本地树种在公园和街道上占主导地位，大多数树种是在殖民时期引进的。这种殖民引入留下了繁重的入侵物种遗产，每年需要花费数十亿兰特来控制。最后，公共城市绿地中提供的自然形式和活动仍然让人想起殖民规范，几乎没有认识到非洲的世界观、身份和需求。最后，我们强调城市当局和规划者有必要通过在提供的城市自然的范围、位置和类型以及文化符号和活动的类型方面采用更具包容性和协同设计的方法来解决这些不合时宜的遗产允许和促进。前殖民街区非本地树种在公园和街道上占主导地位，大多数树种是在殖民时期引进的。这种殖民引入留下了繁重的入侵物种遗产，每年需要花费数十亿兰特来控制。最后，公共城市绿地中提供的自然形式和活动仍然让人想起殖民规范，几乎没有认识到非洲的世界观、身份和需求。最后，我们强调城市当局和规划者有必要通过在提供的城市自然的范围、位置和类型以及文化符号和活动的类型方面采用更具包容性和协同设计的方法来解决这些不合时宜的遗产允许和促进。