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Trees Belong in the Forest

On Urban Biophobia

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, I explain what biophobia is, identify its primary forms and sources, and give the reasons for its contemporary vitality. I also interpret biophobia as an attitude that creates a specific human identity as a superspecies, completely separate from other forms of existence. Showing the integral relationship between cities and biophobia, I analyse various manifestations of biophobia in regard to trees in urban areas, focusing on the phenomenon of “arborvitae-itis.” This, in turn, allows me to demonstrate the pitfalls of biophobia, and its use in processes of class exclusion and the legitimisation of development processes. At the end of the article, I present a few socialisation concepts that could reduce biophobia and build biophilic relationships with other – non-human – forms of existence.

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