'For many years the focus of soil science and soil scientists has been on soils in natural or agricultural environments, with almost no attention paid to urban soils. As we have become aware of the need to understand the global soil cover, urban soils have been recognised as an important component of the soil cover which have distinctive soil development patterns and require specific management. This text draws attention to the particular nature of soils in urban environments and discusses their distinctive management.'
Stephen Nortcliff, Secretary General, International Union of Soil Sciences, and Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Reading, UK
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.