Understanding Soils in Urban Environments

Soil properties such as water retention, salinity and acidity are not just issues for agriculture and forestry. They are equally as significant in creating environmental and structural problems for buildings and other engineering works. As a greater proportion of the world’s population is now living in cities, and building and related infrastructure development continues, these problems assume ever-greater importance. In addition, existing works contribute to urban soil erosion and pollution as well as increased levels of urban runoff.

This book explains how urban soils develop, change and erode. It describes their physical and chemical properties and focuses on the specific soil properties that can cause environmental concern and also affect engineering works. It also addresses contemporary issues such as green roofs, urban green space and the man-made urban soils that these may need to thrive in. It provides a concise introduction to all aspects of soils in urban environments and will be extremely useful to students in a wide range of disciplines from soil science and urban forestry and horticulture, to planning, engineering, construction and land remediation.

Contents: Acknowledgements. Preface 1. Soils in an Urban Environment 2. Soil Characteristics Important for Urban Soil Management 3. Soils and the Hydrological Cycle in Urban Environments 4. Soils for Engineering Purposes 5. Soil Contamination in Urban Areas 6. Urban Soils and Ecosystems 7. Soils and Vegetation: Contributing to a More Sustainable Urban Environment 8. Urban Development on Coastal Soils 9. Interpretation of Soil Attributes in an Urban Environment. Glossary. Index