Roadside Tree Development Strategies for Air Quality Improvement and Thermal Comfort in Ambon City, Maluku Province

Abstract

Due to increasing population and vehicle numbers, air pollution and rising temperatures pose significant challenges for cities worldwide. These issues have been shown to impact the health of road users and the surrounding community. Roadside trees offer a potential solution to mitigate air pollution and temperature increase. However, strategic planning is necessary to maximize their benefits. Therefore, this research aims to formulate development strategies for roadside trees to improve air quality and thermal comfort for road users in Ambon City, Maluku Province. The research findings indicate that: firstly, trees should be planted with smaller diameters to maintain effective sidewalk width; secondly, periodic and regular thinning is necessary for densely foliated shade trees; thirdly, the spacing between tree planting points should be carefully considered to avoid large gaps between trees; fourthly, trees should not be planted too close to the road or in the middle of sidewalks to avoid obstructing road users and damaging infrastructure. One recommended tree species is mimusops elengi, which has non-disruptive root systems, provides extensive shade, and acts as a pollution and noise absorber while also serving as a windbreaker.