Landscaping Trees under the Impacts of Climate Changes: Construction Professionals’ Perceptions in the Field of Landscape Architecture in South Korea

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between landscaping trees and climate changes in the Korean context through a questionnaire designed to elicit the perceptions of construction professionals in South Korea. The questionnaire results show that these professionals are well aware of the various climate change phenomena. Based on this analysis, three noteworthy implications are identified: (1) drought and heat wave as major climate change phenomena that affect tree defects in Korea, (2) building a tree planting environment reflecting climate change prediction, and (3) additions for sustainable tree planting in the Korean context. In the answers to the questions pertaining to professionals’perceptions of the impact of climate change on tree defects, most respondents felt that climate change has already had a decisive impact on trees, and that impact needs to be reflected in tree-planting standards for securing the sustainability of urban trees.