Adapting the Miyawaki Method to Israeli Conditions
Can small, dense forests help create cooler and more resilient cities?
At the Green City Research Center, Dr. Yakir Preisler is exploring how the Miyawaki method can be adapted to Israeli conditions to help cities cope with a warming climate.
Originally developed in Japan, the Miyawaki method creates compact forests by planting diverse native species close together, encouraging rapid growth and the development of multilayered vegetation.
Rather than simply applying the method in Israel, the goal of the project is to develop an Israeli Miyawaki approach that is tailored to local climates, ecosystems, and urban environments.
The research is based on three main principles:
• Tree diversity
• Multiple vegetation layers, including trees of different heights and rooting depths
• Native species adapted to local conditions
The project explores whether these forests can help create local "cool spots" within cities, improve stormwater management, and provide accessible green spaces for urban communities.
The research is currently evaluating the methods and protocols needed to successfully implement this approach under Israeli conditions.
As Dr. Preisler emphasizes, working with trees requires patience and long term thinking. Understanding the value of native species, and giving them the opportunity and time to thrive, may become an important part of building more resilient cities for the future.
Green City Research Center Presents Urban Agroecology Initiative at Joint Forum with the Ministry of Environmental Protection
Researchers from the Volcani Institute and the Ministry of Environmental Protection gathered this week for a joint professional forum focused on some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Israel today, including climate change, sustainable agriculture, water management, biodiversity, ecology, and environmental health.The meeting brought together nearly 50 researchers, scientists, and professionals from both organizations, creating an opportunity to share ongoing activities, exchange knowledge, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.As part of the program, the Green City Research Center presented its emerging urban agroecology initiative, which aims to strengthen the scientific foundation for greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient cities. The initiative brings together expertise from agriculture, ecology, hydrology, environmental science, and urban planning to address challenges at the intersection of urban development and environmental sustainability.Participants discussed the growing importance of connecting research, policy, and implementation. As cities face increasing pressures from climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation, effective solutions require collaboration between researchers, government agencies, municipalities, and practitioners.The forum highlighted the value of interdisciplinary dialogue and provided a platform for identifying shared priorities and future partnerships. By fostering stronger connections between scientific research and decision-making, such collaborations can help support evidence-based policies and practical solutions for more resilient urban and environmental systems.The Green City Research Center looks forward to continuing these conversations and expanding collaborations that advance urban sustainability and climate resilience across Israel.
June 2026
Green and Blue Roofs Help Reduce Urban Runoff During Storm Events
New research presented at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Israel Water Resources Association examined how green roofs and blue roofs perform during real storm events and their potential contribution to urban stormwater management.The study, led by Dr. Uri Nachshon of the Volcani Institute and Asaf Ben Neriah of Azrieli College of Engineering Jerusalem, evaluated the hydrological performance of different rooftop systems during rainfall events. The findings showed that both green roofs and blue roofs delayed peak runoff compared to conventional roofs, helping to moderate the flow of stormwater entering urban drainage systems.During the initial stages of rainfall, the roofs retained and slowed runoff, reducing runoff volumes by tens of percent relative to standard roofs. As rainfall continued and the systems gradually became saturated, their storage capacity decreased and runoff rates became more similar to those of conventional rooftops.The results provide new insights into how nature based and water sensitive urban design solutions can contribute to flood mitigation and stormwater management in cities. As climate change is expected to increase the frequency of intense rainfall events in many regions, understanding the performance of green and blue infrastructure under real world conditions is becoming increasingly important for urban planning and resilience.The research highlights the role that rooftop stormwater management systems can play as part of broader strategies to build more resilient, climate adapted cities.
June 2026
Do Trees Cool Cities Only Through Shade? New Research Presented at EGU26
Urban trees are widely recognized for their ability to reduce heat stress and improve outdoor comfort. While the cooling effect of shade is readily visible, trees also cool their surroundings through transpiration, a physiological process in which water evaporates from leaves and transfers heat away from the plant and its environment. Understanding the relative contribution of these two mechanisms is important for designing climate-resilient urban environments and maximizing the benefits of urban vegetation.
At EGU26, the annual meeting of the European Geosciences Union held in Vienna, Ron Linder presented research addressing this question as part of the Green City Research Center's ongoing work on urban climate and tree physiology.
The study, conducted at the Volcani Institute in collaboration with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, sought to distinguish between the cooling effects of shade and transpiration. Through a controlled experimental approach, the researchers were able to reduce transpiration while maintaining the tree's shading effect, allowing them to evaluate the contribution of each mechanism separately.
The results showed that limiting transpiration had a significant impact on tree physiology, including increased leaf temperatures and altered plant function. However, under the conditions examined, the reduction in transpiration did not lead to measurable changes in mean radiant temperature, an important indicator of human thermal comfort in outdoor spaces.
The findings contribute to ongoing efforts to better understand the functioning of urban trees under heat stress and to provide a stronger scientific basis for urban climate adaptation strategies. As cities around the world seek effective ways to address rising temperatures, research of this kind helps improve our understanding of the environmental services provided by urban vegetation and supports evidence-based urban planning.
The presentation at EGU26 highlights the Green City Research Center's research on urban ecology, climate adaptation, and the role of urban nature in creating healthier and more resilient cities.
June 2026
Tenure-Track Position in Urban Ecology
The Green City Research Center at the Volcani Institute invites applications for a tenure-track researcher position in Urban Ecology.
We are seeking researchers working in fields related to urban ecosystems, biodiversity, climate adaptation, hydrology, urban vegetation, soil and water systems, and other related disciplines.
The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research environment focused on advancing scientific knowledge and developing practical solutions for healthier, more resilient, and climate-adapted cities.
Submission deadline: June 7, 2026.
For additional details and application information, please see the attached announcement.
For details:
vhrkamen@volcani.agri.gov.il
Einat@volcani.agri.gov.il
Apply here: bit.ly/4dLeOgO
Volcani Institute Researchers Present Their Work at "Zor'ot Et HaAtid" Conference
Researchers from the Volcani Institute participated in "Zor'ot Et HaAtid", the flagship conference of Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security dedicated to promoting women's leadership in Israeli agriculture.
Dr. Yafit Cohen, a member of the Green City Research Center Steering Committee, presented her work, "From Research to Decision Support Tools and Back: Mediterranean Fruit Fly Management in Citrus", which focuses on the development of decision support tools to improve Mediterranean fruit fly management in citrus production systems.
Carmel Katz, a PhD candidate in Dr. Cohen's laboratory, presented a research poster on mapping fruit trees in private gardens across Israel as part of a broader study examining the distribution of potential host plants for agricultural pests.
The conference brought together researchers, professionals, and students from across Israel to exchange knowledge and discuss current and future challenges facing Israeli agriculture. The opening session was led by Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter.
The event provided an opportunity to share ongoing research activities, strengthen professional connections, and foster dialogue around innovative approaches that support the future of Israeli agriculture.
May 2026
Shaping Climate-Resilient Cities: The Green City Center at Tel Aviv’s Urban Innovation Forum
The Green City Center for Urban Agroecology at the Volcani Institute recently participated in the Urban Green Solutions and Innovation conference, organized by the Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation of the Tel Aviv Municipality.
During the conference, Dr. Yakir Preisler presented the Center’s activities and its multidisciplinary approach to urban agroecology and hydrology. The Center works to bridge fundamental research and practical implementation, providing a scientific knowledge base that supports decision making by local authorities. Its vision is to transform urban environments into healthier, cooler, and more resilient ecosystems by viewing cities as functional ecological systems rather than simply collections of buildings.
The presentation highlighted one of the Center’s main research directions: data driven monitoring and management of the urban forest. It demonstrated how the integration of sensor based systems and advanced analytics can provide real time insights into tree health, enable early stress detection, and improve urban vegetation management.
In addition, Lior Nezer from Ben Gurion University together with Volcani Institute presented his research on rooftop rainwater harvesting and managed groundwater recharge as a strategy to reduce urban flooding while replenishing groundwater resources. The study examined different methods for infiltrating rooftop runoff through various well designs, taking into account rooftop water volumes, water quality, and subsurface hydrological processes. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach and generated practical insights that are already being implemented in real world settings.
The Green City Center brings together experts in urban forestry, hydrology, and plant protection, and promotes applied pilot projects in collaboration with local authorities. Its goal is to develop scalable models that can be adapted and implemented in additional cities.
The conference provided an important platform for dialogue between researchers, municipal representatives, and practitioners, highlighting the role of nature based solutions in addressing urban climate challenges and creating new opportunities for collaboration.
May 2026
Shading Solutions for Public Spaces
Dr. Yakir Preisler from the Urban Forest Lab at the Green City Research Center, Volcani Institute, presented at an online forum on shading solutions organized by the Council for Higher Education (CHE).
In his lecture, Dr. Preisler presented research and insights on the ecophysiology of urban trees and data-driven urban forest management, highlighting the critical role of trees in mitigating urban heat stress, providing shade, and improving quality of life in cities. The presentation also addressed the challenges of planting and maintaining trees in dense urban environments, alongside the use of advanced technologies for monitoring, management, and decision-making in urban forestry.
July 2025
Counting on Shade Conference
Tel Aviv, February 2025
The “Counting on Shade” conference focused on the challenges of planning, developing, and managing the urban forest in light of the rapid development of Israeli cities and the growing need to address urban heat stress. The conference highlighted the role of trees as essential infrastructure for providing shade, mitigating heat, and improving quality of life in the public realm.
Trees play a central role in transforming cities into greener, cooler, healthier, and more resilient environments. At the same time, many cities in Israel continue to face a significant shortage of shade-providing trees due to the challenges involved in planting, maintaining, and protecting trees within dense built environments.
The conference served as a platform for professional exchange, learning, and the sharing of innovative and practical knowledge among researchers, planners, local authorities, and professionals engaged in urban forestry and shading. It reflected a shared understanding that knowledge and collaboration are essential for advancing the vision of shaded and climate-resilient cities in Israel.
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