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The escalating biodiversity crisis, coupled with the increasing frequency of droughts and anticipated water shortages due to climate change, necessitates a shift towards biodiversity-led landscape architecture, including domestic gardens. Traditionally viewed as high-maintenance spaces emphasising tidiness, domestic gardens can significantly impact urban green infrastructure and species richness. This paper explores the concept of 'savage gardens'—untamed and natural spaces representing a fourth nature approach, incorporating wild gardens and neglected areas. Despite potential challenges in public appreciation, it is argued that savage gardens offer substantial benefits, such as reduced maintenance, increased biodiversity, and enhanced resilience to climate change. By reframing the perception of 'savage' from biophobic to a reconnection with nature, savage gardens are proposed as a viable solution for balancing aesthetics, maintenance, ecosystem services, and biodiversity in domestic landscapes, promoting a more sustainable future in the face of the biodiversity emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature is increasingly recognized for its potential to address societal challenges in cities, through the delivery of ecosystem services (ES). However, large-scale assessments quantifying this potential are rare. In this study, we modelled five ES (local temperature regulation, flood control, global climate regulation, habitat maintenance, and human interaction with nature) across 708 European urban areas. Using a supply-demand approach, we assessed ES delivery: the extent to which ES supply was sufficient to meet the corresponding societal demands. We found that ES delivery varied both spatially and between ES. On average, nearly 50% of the demand was fulfilled, with the highest values for habitat maintenance (81 ± 15%; mean ± SD), flood control (65 ± 13%), and human interaction with nature (59 ± 15%) and much lower values for local temperature regulation (23 ± 28%) and global climate regulation (16 ± 28%). We further found positive pairwise correlations between all ES (Spearman's ρ from 0.15 to 0.65), with the strongest correlation between habitat maintenance and global climate regulation. Variation in ES delivery across the urban areas was mainly related to differences in the share of green space and the size of the urban areas, whereby ES delivery was positively related to both. Our broad-scale comparative assessment can serve as a starting point for more sophisticated model-based assessments quantifying the full potential of urban nature to meet societal demands across large areas, for example by including a broader set of ES and accounting for city-specific demands. Key policy highlights: Using a supply-demand approach, we modelled five ecosystem services across 708 European urban areas. On average, across ecosystem services and cities, nearly 50% of the ecosystem service demand is fulfilled. We found the highest fulfilled demand for habitat maintenance, flood control and human interaction with nature, and the lowest for local temperature regulation and global climate regulation. Ecosystem service delivery was positively related to the share of green space and the size of the urban areas, and negatively to the share of impervious surface. Our findings underline nature's potential to deliver multiple services simultaneously, while revealing which urban areas may benefit the most from an increase in green space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper maps the supply, demand, and budget of five ecosystem services (ESs) based on land use/cover data classified for the Little Akaki River catchment in central Ethiopia, which include urban and peri-urban areas. For land use characterization, we used a recently introduced method of mapping urban morphology types (UMTs), followed by land cover analysis (within the identified UMTs) for 2006 and 2016 by distributing sample points randomly over the extent of each UMT. Additionally, ecosystem service supply and demand data were collected using expert assessment. The UMT maps revealed 14 primary and 38 sub-UMTs for 2006 and 14 primary and 41 sub-UMTs for 2016. From primary UMTs, agriculture UMT (37%) in 2006 and residential UMT (32%) in 2016 are dominant, revealing a recently increasing transformation of UMTs into residential UMTs. The land cover change analysis shows a decrease in evapotranspiring surfaces (from 46% in 2006 to 32% in 2016) and an increase in built surfaces (from 24% in 2006 to 32% in 2016), indicating rapid urbanization within the catchment that will possibly lead to degradation of ESs. The ESs capacity map shows that agriculture UMTs deliver very high relevant food and high relevant capacity for flood regulation. Vegetation UMT shows very high relevant capacity for temperature regulation, recreation UMT for recreation service, and waterbodies for water supply. Overall, this paper demonstrated that rapid urbanization at the expense of ecologically essential land covers most likely degrade ESs in the Little Akaki River catchment, contributing to the global ecosystem service degradation and climate change. Hence, we highly recommend the application of green infrastructure planning that protects evapotranspiring surfaces that supply multiple ESs in the catchment. This in addition contributes to the global effort to protect green spaces that supplies multiple ecosystem service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living close to green infrastructure (GI) components might be the dream of many people who are often exposed to cities' pollution, congestion, or lack of green amenities. Due to its multiple benefits, green infrastructure plays a significant role in driving people's decisions to leave inner-city areas and move to suburban locations. However, how GI components are used once people move into the suburbs must be better understood. Thus, this study explores residents' rationales for leaving the inner city and moving to the suburbs and how they use suburban GI components. A survey was undertaken in six suburbs from three European cities: Poznań (Poland), Salzburg (Austria), and Bucharest (Romania). We found that people self-reported that green amenities were the main reason for choosing a suburban residence. Furthermore, those residents who moved to the suburbs were more interested in using their private gardens than larger parks and prefer natural green areas with high potential for recreation to agricultural landscapes for leisure. This study advocates for investment in private green spaces in suburban developments due to their deep interweaving with residents' leisure preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid urbanization witnessed in recent years has led to the deterioration of urban ecosystems, resulting in various environmental and socioeconomic challenges. In response to these concerns, the implementation of Green and Blue Infrastructures (GBI) has gained prominence as a sustainable urban planning approach. GBI is a planned network system of natural and semi-natural spaces, along with other environmental elements, managed and designed to provide a wide range of ecosystem services and improve ecological conditions, thereby contributing to citizens' wellbeing and quality of life. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the costs, benefits (ecosystem services), and impacts (ecosystem dis-services) associated with the incorporation of GBI in urban environments using the technique of emergy accounting. To achieve this, the research paper introduces a novel integrated valuation framework. This framework encompasses key components such as constructing/maintenance costs, ecosystem services, needed costs to human health and biodiversity damage, as well as ecosystem dis-services. Furthermore, the study conducts a comparative analysis of the costs, benefits, and impacts associated with different urban GBIs via ternary phase diagram, shedding light on their varying contributions to the urban ecosystem. The findings reveal that green roofs offer more ecosystem benefits as compared to other GBIs, but this study also highlights that green roof entail higher initial construction costs and produce a greater number of dis-services. Conversely, street trees have lower initial costs and impacts yet generate higher benefits. Furthermore, green walls, despite having a lower input emergy value and fewer benefits, result in higher impacts compared to other green-blue ecosystems. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions in developing sustainable cities for the wellbeing of present and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green infrastructure (GI) in cities plays significant role to provide various ecosystem services and enhance the urban health wellbeing. Recently, rapid urbanization and climate change has become one of the serious challenges to GI that may cause deterioration of urban environmental sustainability. This study aims to assess the pattern of place attachment and pro-environmental behaviour (Pro-environmental behaviour) towards GI in Kolkata megacity, India. Questionnaire survey was performed to glean the pattern of place attachment and pro-environmental behaviour from urban and peri-urban GI from multiple perspectives. The questionnaire used was divided into five major parts, namely-socio-demographic profile of the respondents, and place attachment, positive perception to GI, environmental attitudes, and environmentally responsible towards the GI. Results showed that the respondents had a high level of place attachment with GI (with mean score of 2.5 out of 5). The respondents showed positive perception towards GI stating the GI play significant role in maintaining good environment (mean score 4.5 out of 5). The overall mean score (%) of positive environmental attitudes was much higher (4.17) than negative environmental attitudes indicating that respondents held positive environmental attitudes towards GI. the mean score related to environmentally responsible attitude (ERA) clearly indicated that there were high levels of ERA towards GI. The study’s findings offer valuable insights into the human-nature relationship in large cities, highlighting the need for the development, monitoring, and management of GI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban blue-green infrastructure (BGI) not only serves an ecological purpose but also contributes to the physical and psychological well-being of residents by providing cultural ecosystem services (CES), which are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences. CES is a rising BGI research and management subject, with a growing number of papers in recent years. To identify and differentiate the latest research on the development of features based on cultural ecosystem services within blue-green infrastructure, we employed CiteSpace bibliometric methodologies to analyze pertinent papers for focusing on the developmental processes and key research areas. The publishing trend, research clusters, highly cited literature, research history, research frontiers and hot areas, and high-frequency and emerging keywords were studied and assessed after reviewing 14,344 relevant papers by CiteSpace software 6.3.1 from Web of Science. The standard domains concerned, according to the keyword visualization and high-value references, are implemented cultural ecosystem services assessment combined with natural-based solutions in green spaces, urban regions, residential areas, and sustainable development. In conclusion, the following recommendations are made: (1) When urban decision-makers incorporate the perspective of cultural ecosystem services into the strategic formulation of BGI, a broader spectrum of urban BGI types should be taken into account; (2) all categories of CES should be considered; (3) research on the application of cultural ecosystem services in urban blue-green infrastructure should be more effectively and flexibly integrated into urban governance; and (4) CES should be strategically employed to improve the physical health and psychological well-being of urban residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficient urban transformations pose multifaceted challenges. In this context, urban agriculture (UA) can address environmental and socio-economic issues. Despite recent UA policies in São Paulo, the lack of data hampers comprehensive evaluations, highlighting the need for robust indicators to enhance environmental sustainability. This article assesses São Paulo's UA potential using an Ecosystem Services (ES)-based approach, combining ES spatial mapping and a producer survey at 49 UA sites. Results show natural habitats and anthropic areas within urbanised land, especially in the south, with high habitat quality scores. Nine ES were identified: food supply, commercialisation, income generation, waste mediation, lifecycle maintenance, soil formation, leisure/social, well-being, and education. Utilising mixed methods, this study provides innovative insights into ES related to UA in São Paulo, offering valuable input for urban policies and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The urban green infrastructure (GI) network is an important conduit for ecological flows and plays a crucial role in improving regional habitats, especially in karst areas that are highly ecologically fragile and sensitive. However, the existing research only focuses on the construction of GI network in karst mountain cities, and the evolution characteristics of its elements and driving mechanism are not clear, which is of great significance for guiding urban land use planning and comprehensively improving the quality of the ecological environment. In view of this, this study took Qianzhong urban agglomeration as the study area, based on multi-source data, and identified ecological sources through ecological resilience analysis. Considering the special geographic environment, the rock exposure rate factor was added to correct the resistance surface, and the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) and gravity model were coupled to extract the GI network. The complex network topology characterization parameter was introduced to assess the spatial and temporal variations of ecological sources and corridors. Finally, the geographical detector was used to identify the dominant influencing factors and interactions of the spatial distribution of the GI network. Results: The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the condition of GI network elements in the study area presented a decreasing and then an increasing trend. The ecological sources or corridors in highly urbanized areas were critical for ecological flow transport and the overall structural stability of the GI network. The influence of natural factors on the spatial distribution of the GI network gradually weakened, and the influence of human factors continuously increased. The spatial distribution of the GI network was influenced by multiple factors, and the interaction between all the factors was enhanced, which gradually changed from the interaction of natural factors to the interaction of human factors during the study period. Conclusions: The research results will provide scientific references for the construction of an ecologically safe environment and sustainable development of karst mountain cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, mill races were part of the urban structure of many towns in Slovakia. As regulated and artificially created waterways, they served to drive mills, rollers, or hammers. With the use of new sources of energy, they lost their functions, and most of them were dried, filled, or buried underground. In our research, we examine the former mill race corridor in Podolínec (Prešov region, Slovakia) and its potential to contribute to urban regeneration strategies. The research steps included the following, namely 1. Identification of the route of the mill race corridor according to historical sources, 2. survey of its current state and its spatial preservation in the urban structure, 3. evaluation of the possibilities of its new uses, which could increase the quality and attractiveness of urban public spaces. The research results show that the fragments of the corridor of the extinct mill race are still identifiable in the urban fabric, and in the cadaster, they are in public ownership and suitable for new uses. The fragments of the corridor of the extinct mill race in Podolínec represent a potential for strengthening the blue and green infrastructure, pedestrian and cycling greenways, and a potential for the presentation of cultural heritage values, which could contribute to the improvement of the qualities of the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this paper is to analyse ways to upgrade the existing urban and architectural features in the built environment by incorporating and enhancing the use of nature-based solutions (NbSs) in relation to the city of Bucharest, which lacks green spaces mapping and quality studies and literature. The paper draws a comparison between the design elements used in other cities, namely Lisbon, Vienna and Rome. These are also analysed and compared in relation to the integration in a mixed urban development plan for a research-to-business neighbourhood design competition in Măgurele, situated near Bucharest. A matrix of five criteria is used for the analysis: historical context, urban context, nature versus design, use and climate context. In Lisbon, examples range from new green walls, modern green Mediterranean courtyards, NbS in scaffolding and temporary walls, the placing of Miradores around the city to green-and-healthy marketing tools for restaurants. For Vienna, a street is being remodelled in an innovative way using independent green infrastructure designs in existing retrofitted parking units, hotels and residential constructions. For Bucharest, emergent pop-up, small scale, bottom-up solutions push the city's urban fabric beyond the greyish look of socialist-communist background and eclectic late 19th, early 20th century built heritage. For Măgurele, different versions of a modern neighbourhood and street profile design issues are analysed, using 3D renderings that incorporate NbS at various insertion scales. Existing example cases showcase new dimensions and toolsets of the adaptation of the urban fabric based on a more ecosystem-based approach of architectural-urban research by design, as possible instruments that facilitate a Green Transition in urban settings. Covering more cities in the future would add to the impact and contribution of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the ecosystem and ecological values of green infrastructures in forests and urban parks have gained broader attention, because plants are providing not only ecosystem services (ESs) but also social, economic, cultural, educational and health services. Since there have not been proper tools for measuring and evaluating the green infrastructures, urban residents especially those who live in industrial and developing cities have neglected the benefits of the green infrastructures. This research with using I-Tree canopy tool (version 7.1) has considered not only the green infrastructures in two urban sites Nahjol-Balaghe and Pardisan parks (approximately 321 hectares) located in Tehran metropolis, but also ESs and economic savings, which will be contributed to air pollution reduction, carbon storage and sequestration, management and reduction of surface runoff. In addition, this study with applying library and survey methods (interviews with, managers, constructors and visitors) inspects the importance of the sites in sustainable development (economic growth, social and cultural factors and environmental protection), energy conservation (contrasting with urban heat effects, briefly), various plant species and dominant species in the study sites. The result show that 94.58 ha of the site is covered with soil and bare grounds, while only 69.08 ha of it is covered with trees/shrubs, therefore this feature has caused surveyed sites have a poor performance in flood control and mitigation of surface runoff. Consequently, this study also consists of management and solutions for using trees, shrubs and other green infrastructures to cover bare grounds, so as to by measuring the extent of green infrastructures and calculating their economic value in providing ESs, having a healthy urban green space in industrial and large cities, as well as sustainable development management, will help people's well-being, and simultaneously protecting the strategies of green infrastructures in metropolises with ecological and environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 21st century, the world has increasingly focused on the issue of sustainable development, and the green transformation issues have become a new hot topic worldwide. Green and low-carbon transformation has become an international consensus. Urban agglomerations are important connections between urban development and regional coordination, as well as important spatial carriers for economic activities. They are not only the main source of carbon emissions, but also the main battlefield for energy conservation and emission reduction. As an important field for carbon reduction, the green transformation of cities is crucial for achieving the "dual carbon" goals. This article focuses on 48 cities in the three most mature and influential urban agglomerations in China from 2011 to 2019, namely, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, and the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration. The three-stage DEA model and Malmquist index model are used to measure the green transformation efficiency of the three urban agglomerations from both dynamic and static perspectives, and a Tobit regression model is constructed to explore the influencing factors of green transformation efficiency in urban agglomerations. Research has found that: 1) From a static perspective, the overall efficiency of green transformation in the three major urban agglomerations is at a high level, but from a temporal perspective, it shows a downward trend. The Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration is known for its green development, with the highest average efficiency of green transformation, followed by the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration has the lowest level of green transformation; 2) From a dynamic perspective, technological progress is the main driving factor for improving the efficiency of green transformation in the three major urban agglomerations. Therefore, the government should pay special attention to the progressiveness of technology when formulating relevant policies to promote urban green transformation; 3) From the perspective of spatiotemporal differences, there are significant differences in the spatiotemporal characteristics of green transformation among the three major urban agglomerations, and there are significant differences in green transformation strategies among different urban agglomerations. Eliminating environmental factors and random interference is necessary for accurately measuring the efficiency of green transformation in urban agglomerations; 4) From the perspective of influencing factors, factors such as industrial structure upgrading, green innovation level, and environmental regulation intensity jointly affect the efficiency of green transformation in urban agglomerations. Based on this, we should pay attention to the differences between urban agglomerations and implement policies tailored to local conditions; Strengthen the network system of urban agglomerations and avoid conflicts between cities; Encourage green technology innovation, accelerate industrial structure upgrading, and so on. This article focuses on the issue of green transformation in urban agglomerations, and conducts research from three perspectives: efficiency measurement, influencing factors, and implementation mechanisms. A relatively systematic theoretical framework for green transformation in urban agglomerations is formed, and an evaluation index system for green transformation efficiency in urban agglomerations is constructed and optimized. The composition mechanism of the five dimensional evaluation system for transformation efficiency is analyzed, and the bottleneck and breakthrough direction of the three major urban agglomerations in China in the development process are grasped. It has a good demonstration effect on the green transformation of other urban agglomerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing body of research into the environmental and socio-economic benefits of green infrastructure supports the case for it to be positioned as a form of critical infrastructure, particularly in urban settings. It is broadly recognized that extreme weather and climate change pose significant risks to critical infrastructure systems linked to the provision of services, including electricity, water, communications, and transport, and consequently risk assessments and associated adaptation strategies are common practice. However, although green infrastructure is also at risk from extreme weather and climate change, threatening the realization of benefits that it can deliver in urban settings, associated risks to green infrastructure are not widely understood or assessed in practice. This paper discusses the status of existing research on this topic and uses this as a foundation for a Greater Manchester (UK) case study that assesses the risk of low water availability to grassed areas, which represent a key element of the city-region's green infrastructure. In doing so, the paper demonstrates how risks linked to extreme weather and climate change can be assessed spatially to inform green infrastructure planning. In summary, this paper aims to raise awareness of extreme weather and climate change risk to urban green infrastructure, present an empirical case study and associated methodological approach on this topic, and ultimately support efforts to enhance the resilience of urban green infrastructure to extreme weather and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green infrastructure plays a crucial role in sustainable city development by offering a multitude of benefits, including improved environmental quality, increased social well-being, and enhanced economic prosperity. Evaluation and monitoring of regulatory implementation stand as essential components in the advancement of urban green infrastructure (GI) as they indicate the efficacy of regulatory acts and enable the assessment of their implementation success and adaptability to identified needs. This study identifies barriers and drivers based on the views of 352 professionals surveyed between 2018 and 2023 in Serbia. The primary data collection method employed questionnaire surveys. This study identified a range of barriers within existing legal frameworks, foremost of which include the lack of coordination and coherence between relevant ministries and governmental agencies, insufficient financial and human resources, the lack of transparency in the regulation development process, the need for strengthening technical capacities, and the absence of an adequate urban GI strategy. This research serves as a foundation for conceptualising GI regulatory elements that enhance urban GI development. Addressing these barriers necessitates efforts to improve coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, increase public participation, and enhance transparency in the regulatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to learn the possibility of using the selected indicator method to assess the local adaptation to climate change by using city green infrastructure (GI). Close access to the public green areas from a place of residence has been recognized as a potential measure to achieve more just and equitable adaptation to climate change within the city. The rationale for adopting this approach is the significant impact of GI on improving the quality of life of residents. In the case study of the cities of Łomża and Siedlce, the method of assessing the availability of GI was analysed in two variants differing in the resources of green areas included. The accessibility of GI was determined using indicators describing the share of the city's population having their residences in a designated walking distance zone from these areas; the degree of provision of GI areas within walking distance from homes; the degree of provision of green areas to the inhabitants throughout the city. In addition, analyses of the access structure for residents of GI within 300 meters were carried out in terms of the number and category of this type of places. The research results indicate the possibility of using presented accessibility indicators to assess actions related to GI at the stage of planning and monitoring the implementation of the urban adaptation strategy to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of the urban tree and tree canopy (UTC) are increasingly crucial in addressing urban sustainability. Yet, increasingly evident from earlier research is the distributional inequities of UTC and active efforts to expand tree plantings. Less is known about the dynamics of UTC loss over time and location. This study aims to understand the dynamics of UTC change, especially canopy loss, and to investigate the drivers of the loss. This study draws on a high–resolution dataset of an urban canopy in Portland, Oregon, USA, assessing changes in UTC from 2014 to 2020. By integrating demographic, biophysical, and policy data with UTC information, we use a spatial autoregressive model to identify the drivers of UTC loss. The results reveal an unexpected spatial distribution of UTC change: less gain in the neighborhoods with the least UTC, and greater loss in the neighborhoods with moderate UTC. This study identifies four primary drivers of UTC loss: socioeconomic characteristics, urban form, activities on trees, and residential status. Factors such as population density, race, and income have an impact on canopy loss, as well as the building footprint and the number of multifamily housing units; residential statuses, such as the proportion of owner-occupied housing and residential stability, impact canopy loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) can provide key ecosystem services (ES) for human well-being. For this purpose, it is critical to ascertain which characteristics regulate the provision of ES by UGI. In this study, eight ES (water supply, water regulation, waste regulation, nutrient regulation, soil formation, carbon sequestration, air temperature regulation and air humidity regulation) of thirty UGI sites of Zaragoza (Spain), were evaluated using proxy indicators derived from analyzed soil samples, and in-situ measured air temperature and humidity. A principal component analysis was performed to group different ES, and to study the dispersion of different types of UGI along the distinct ES. Additionally, relationships, between the evaluated ES and predictors; flatness, imperviousness, regularity, naturalness and functioning of the UGI sites were studied through linear and quadratic regressions. Large UGI sites such as riparian zones, meanders and natural forests showed relatively high values of ES in contrast with more artificial sites. Moreover, the study showed that water supply, water regulation, soil formation, carbon sequestration and air temperature regulation were significantly and positively related to ecological naturalness and functioning, while imperviousness was the main predictor explaining the reduction of five ES. Our findings provide evidence for the existence of important interactions between predictor variables and ES in UGI. It also showed that the provision of urban ES can be improved expanding the variety and type of green infrastructure sites, decreasing impervious area, and increasing the naturalness and functioning of UGI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) is a prominent concept toward climate adaptation and urban resilience, but it is also affected by droughts and heat. Hence, this study aims to advance the multi‐assessment of drought and heat risks (DHRs) for UGI through the DHR assessment framework with conceptual and methodological features, paving the way toward knowledge creation and decision support. The framework was systematically developed, starting with defining the situation, analyzing concepts, and finally, constructing the framework. The situation is interpreted as a coupled human and natural system to represent the biophysical and immaterial elements, processes, and interrelations. Further, the concepts of risk, UGI, and ecosystem services lead to a risk system showing the compound hazards, the exposure, and the cascading vulnerabilities of the UGI. The DHR assessment framework distinguishes two stages, multi‐risk analysis and multi‐criteria risk evaluation. The analysis includes the definition and interpretation of the UGI situation under drought and heat conditions, analyzing the hazards, exposures, and vulnerabilities of the system, and translating the risk system into an indicator‐based information system. Hereby, the vulnerability analysis of the biophysical UGI aspects comprises the susceptibility and resilience of UGI entities, as well as the degree to which providing ecosystem functions and services can be affected. The multi‐criteria risk evaluation covers the assignment of thresholds and weights for indicators, in addition to the aggregation methods. The resulting framework intends to support local actors in the risk assessment of current and future conditions, fostering evidence‐based decisions and interventions to deal with compound DHRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New territorial units resulting from urban sprawl processes constitute a major challenge for territorial planning. The aim of this paper is to analyze periurban spaces, focusing on the delimitation and characterization of the urban units arising from urban sprawl processes. The delimitation derives from fractal analysis, where urbanized space is used to detect the limits of the units. The characterization starts with the calculation of eight different indicators, using Geographic Information Systems tools. PCA is used to obtain different dimensions of the urban sprawl phenomenon. Finally, a cluster analysis has been applied to establish a typology of territorial units and facilitate the comparative analysis. The methodology is applied to a case study, the metropolitan area of Valencia. Results show six groups of urbanized spaces, which present different types of urban sprawl structures with different necessities. This applied research can be useful for the spatial planning of the periurban spaces, insofar as it allows the identification of supra-municipal or infra-municipal areas, where it will be possible to improve infrastructures, facilities, or green infrastructure, to empower secondary urban nuclei and to create new inter-municipal cooperation and governance formulas. In addition, the results can constitute a non-administrative territorial basis for the calculation of land occupation indicators that are often used as thresholds for the creation of new residential spaces in regulatory planning documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects of urbanized areas' growth might be mitigated by the multiple ecosystem services that urban green infrastructure provides. However, the design and composition of such infrastructure is still a hotly debated issue, mainly considering the challenges associated with the use of exotic plant species. To assess if there is a clear association between the species' origin and ecosystem services or ecosystem disservices, an in-depth systematic literature review was carried out based on a bibliometric approach to assess the panorama of the scientific perspective. Based on the results, a detailed analysis was performed for the urban green infrastructure of five European Mediterranean cities, where management and expansion of the urban green infrastructure might act as tools to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. Urban green infrastructure benefits to urban areas and its composition must consider the balance between services and disservices provided by plant species. Data analysis shows that disservices are not exclusively related to exotic species, revealing that plant species selection based on their origin represents a biased approach, as it often disregards the higher capacity of some exotic species to thrive under continuous pressure and disturbance, along with relevant and highly valued cultural services provided. Since exotic species are commonly used, ecosystems formed can be seen as experiments to support decisions, allowing new approaches to planning, designing, and maintaining urban green infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of Skopje's urban green infrastructure, this paper investigates the environmental contributions of six strategically positioned roundabouts, called Eco-roundabouts. Emphasizing their pivotal role within the urban green infrastructure network, the study evaluates landscape design, constituent elements and the collective impact on approximately 7000 m² of green space. All roundabouts integrate grass cover, three of them include low vegetation and the remaining three have a combination of low and high vegetation. Noteworthy is the prevalent use of unsustainable annual flowering plants, presenting economic challenges. Ineffectual maintenance practices and plants exposure to automotive emissions further compromise optimal conditions for proper growth. The paper offers recommendations to optimize functionality, sustainability and biodiversity, addressing economic concerns and enhancing aesthetic appeal. The study advocates for a strategic and holistic approach, offering guidance to urban planners and landscape designers in maximizing the environmental benefits of Eco-roundabouts, providing their seamless integration into Skopje's resilient urban green infrastructure network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the enabling governance conditions for implementing green stormwater infrastructure to transform waterways. Using Australia's largest integrated stormwater management project in Adelaide's River Torrens Catchment as a case study, we explore four key governance dimensions and their shifts over time: actors, rules of the game, discourse, and resources and power. Overall, 11 enablers emerged from these dimensions. These include collaboration and coordination, bipartisan support, regulation enforcement, knowledge and beliefs, leadership and expertise, and incremental funding. The paper reflects on the prevalence of these factors and provides recommendations to revitalize polluted waterways and address riverine flood risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of implementing analysis indicators in the Romanian context to enhance the development and maintenance of green and blue urban infrastructure. Previous studies on GBUI have primarily focused on larger scales, considering cities or territories, to understand connectivity and positive impacts. However, in Romania, green and blue infrastructure in urban areas has received less attention for analysis and development. To understand the impact of GBUI at a neighbourhood level, the study proposes the development of specific indicators that consider the urban form, functional zoning, and the provision of public urban green and blue spaces regarding housing and urban amenities. This research utilises international practice, scientific literature, and national legislation to understand new mechanisms for urban design and sustainable development. It maps indicators for GBUI analysis and design, contributing to a new methodological approach in the Romanian context. This research's findings can guide the design and development of new residential areas, thereby improving the quality of urban life through improved green and blue urban infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities, in continuous growth, are at a critical moment to guarantee economic, social and environmental stability, as recognised by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study aims to demonstrate how Green Infrastructure (GI) can contribute, as spaces of opportunity in cities, to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in metropolitan areas. And by doing that, more substantial support from urban planners and decision-makers may be performed. A systematic literature review based on the PRISMA method was conducted, 694 records were identified, and 100 articles were thoroughly reviewed. The main finding suggested that 17 SDGs and 74 (44%) of its 169 targets may be achieved through a single strategy; the implementation of nature in the city and the use of the ecosystem services that the environment provides to its advantage. The analysis shows the need for a system change in urban areas worldwide, where GI can contribute to 80% of the targets in SDG11, "Sustainable Cities and Society." The metropolis remains the most efficient area to test and implement green solutions to have an immediate impact on achieving the SDGs. It is imperative to take climate action, and GI can be used as an urban catalyst for sustainability and, consequently, resilience in contemporary cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With growing urban populations and increasing demands for more liveable, healthy and resilient cities, green infrastructure (GI) emerged over the last decade as a strategy to improve the quality of life in urban areas, delivering ecological, socio-cultural and economic benefits. To reach the European Union's political ambitions, it is vital that the concept and its content are used consistently and coherently from national to local scale. Regarding the content, the ambiguity of the multifunctionality characteristic of GI presents an opportunity for adaptation to local values, while also risking to remain a vague and abstract promise. A policy analysis was conducted in four European cities to investigate the uptake of the GI concept in policies relevant for urban green spaces and if it is in line with EU's understanding. Additionally, we investigate through interviews how interactions between agencies contribute to the mainstreaming of the concept to the municipal level. We found variations in uptake level and interpretation, which can partly be explained by the competition of new and established concepts, and existing structures (legislation and routines of practice). Each case study made multifunctionality concrete by linking multiple values to it, although the amount of values and depth of consideration differs. We found interactions between policymakers themselves, as well with science and civil society, contributing to the mainstreaming of the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: This paper explores green volunteering in Denmark from the perspective of nature managers in municipalities and state nature agencies. The aim is to explore and establish, for the first time, an understanding of the nature and extent of volunteering in Danish nature management from a mosaic governance perspective. Objective: The objective was to understand how patterns of volunteerism in Denmark align with the theoretical planning of mosaic governance. Method: The study employed a questionnaire survey, conducted in 2018, covering all Danish municipalities and Nature Agency units designed to investigate topics such as: the extent of volunteering, the types of volunteers, the areas and tasks the volunteers engage in, and the benefits and challenges of the collaboration. Results: Our results show that nature managers collaborate with a variety of volunteers, involved in maintenance, construction and operation activities in both urban and rural areas. Most projects are bottom-up initiatives started by volunteers. The main reason for engaging volunteers is to acknowledge volunteers' enthusiasm and heighten their interest in nature, although the engagement of volunteers can be time-consuming. In most municipalities, engaging volunteers is not formalized through strategies. It is handled as an "add-on" to an already demanding work burden. Conclusions: There is considerable variation in the way municipalities and the Nature Agency units engage volunteers. Some embrace volunteering, while others are skeptical about it. The engagement of volunteers supports nature that is both more accessible and better managed. Further, volunteerism increases the number of outdoor recreation facilities by supplementing the capacity of baseline nature management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land take for urbanisation has become a significant problem in many parts of the world due to environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the rapid depletion of blue and green spaces. In Europe, literature reveals a massive loss of ecosystems due to land take. The European Union has formulated a "No Net Land Take Policy" to stop new development activities on the available urban lands by 2050 within its member countries. In this paper, we highlight opportunities for mainstreaming green infrastructure planning in the industrial areas located in Flanders, Belgium, to enhance ecological connectivity towards the No Net Land Take Policy. The ecological connectivity was analysed using a blended methodology combining spatial analysis at the scale of the entire region and that of sixteen sub catchments within using the Patch-Corridor-Matrix model. A multifunctionality framework for assessing green infrastructure implementation was designed based on an analysis of the scientific literature discussing the ecological benefits of green infrastructure networks within industrial platforms. Our results show that industrial platforms might provide a broad spectrum of implementation opportunities reflecting the multi-functionality of green infrastructure networks while highlighting to what extent the underdeveloped areas laying within the boundary of industrial platforms are suitable for green infrastructure expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green infrastructure has become crucial to sustainable cities' development because it offers many advantages, including better environmental quality, increased social well-being, and increased economic prosperity. The evaluation and monitoring of the implementation of policies are essential elements of the development of urban green infrastructure because they demonstrate the will of political decision-makers to assess the implementation's success and adapt it to the observed need. This article sets out existing institutional structures, institutional plans, and institutional policies linked to creating urban green infrastructure in three study cities: Conakry, Kankan, and Dubreka. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and policy analysis. The study used primary data collection methods, including questionnaires and interviews with key informants, to gather first-hand information from decision-makers, planners, managers, and other organizations involved in developing and managing urban green infrastructure at regional and local levels. In addition, this study used primary data collection, facilitating the collection of first-hand information reinforced by questionnaires. A simple random sampling method was also adopted, which improved the selection of a sample of 330 respondents. Most government officials and academics agree that current policies regarding green urban infrastructure have not been implemented. The study has identified several shortcomings in existing political and legal frameworks, in particular the lack of coordination and coherence between the ministries and the government agencies involved, insufficient financial and human resources, the lack of attention, the lack of transparency in the process of developing policies and regulations, the low involvement of the private sector, the need to strengthen technical capacity, and poor urban green infrastructure strategies. These actions are necessary to develop essential policies and procedures that improve the development of green urban infrastructure. In order to overcome these obstacles, efforts must be made to improve coordination and collaboration between stakeholders, strengthen technical capacity, increase public participation, and improve transparency in the process of policies and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantity and condition of urban greenery directly affect the quality of life of residents and space users. This quality is linked to measures that reduce the negative impact of climate change. It was assumed that urban greenery should not only be protected but also should have its stock increased, which is not easy in a historical, compact structure under statutory conservation. This paper discusses the issue of green areas in the strict city centre of Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The study area includes two medieval towns that had their town charters issued in the 13th and 14th centuries, which together formed a central town and a satellite town. Kazimierz and Stradom were subjected to a detailed investigation. A review of the literature and other sources made it possible to identify changes in the structure of green spaces in terms of chronology and quantity. Changes in the area, accessibility and the legal provisions arising from the various forms of statutory conservation and their consequences were analysed. Multi-criteria analyses of the historical urban structure and the types, forms and potential for introducing greenery into the historical area were also performed. The intention was to strengthen green infrastructure, which is a key element in climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NBS) have been central to the European Union's drive to address climate change, ecological degradation, and promote urban prosperity. Via an examination of the Horizon 2020-funded URBAN GreenUP project in Liverpool, this paper explores mainstreaming NBS in city planning. It uses evidence from pre- and post-intervention surveys with Liverpool residents and interviews with local business, environmental, government, and community sector experts to illustrate how a complex interplay of scale, location, focus, and visibility of NBS influences perceptions of the added value of NBS. This paper highlights the requirement that NBS interventions be bespoke and responsive to the overarching needs of residents and other stakeholders. Moreover, we underscore the importance of expert input into the design, location, and maintenance of NBS and call for these key drivers of successful delivery to be better integrated into work programs. This paper also notes that the type and size of NBS interventions impact perceptions of their value, with smaller projects being viewed as less socially and ecologically valuable compared to larger investments. We conclude that while small-scale NBS can support climatic, health, or ecological improvements in specific instances, strategic, larger-scale, and more visible investments are required to accrue substantive benefits and gain acceptance of NBS as a legitimate and effective planning tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of green infrastructure through vertical forms of greenery is an innovative way to address urban sustainability challenges. Despite various social, economic, and environmental benefits, however, facade greening is rarely implemented. This article examines barriers to and solutions for the implementation of green facades through a systematic literature review and a participatory case study of Leipzig, Germany. We found a total of 24 social, political-administrative, economic, practical-technical, and environmental barriers hindering key actors to (successfully) implement green facades. The lack of information and knowledge was found to be an underlying issue. Solutions co-created with local stakeholders and experts include the provision of informative, regulatory, and financial incentives, the adaptation of political-administrative strategies, regulations, and procedures, as well as the support of the practical-technical implementation process through information and experts. To overcome barriers, various measures must be combined, but establishing public relations and advisory services on green facades is of priority in Leipzig. By combining insights from academic literature with applied knowledge of a diverse group of local actors, we identify how barriers to facade greening may be overcome in the specific case of a major German city and provide a blueprint for similar research in other socio-political contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces (UGSs) are fragments of city vegetation capable of providing numerous benefits, which can be measured through indices. However, even though public green spaces (PGSs) are accounted for in such indices as areas that can generate positive impacts, private green spaces (PrGSs) are not considered. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact and feasibility of the inclusion of limited-access green spaces (LAGSs—a type of PrGS—in green area index (GAI) and green space ratio (GSR) calculations, within the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, as a model. By employing geotechnologies, private squares and spaces were identified. On-site visits were employed to determine the functions (aesthetic, ecological, and/or leisure) of such spaces. For LAGSs, only those with an index higher than 50% permeability were included. The calculated indices for PGSs are as follows: PGS index (PGSI) = 0.53 m2/inhabitant, PGS ratio (PGSR) = 0.27%, and total green space (TGS) = 62,067 m2. Taking LAGSs into account, the indices are as follows: LAGS index (LAGSI) = 3.76 m2/inhabitant, LAGS ratio (LAGSR) = 1.92%, and TGS = 443,309.03 m2. The results of the analyses carried out in this study allow us to conclude that LAGSs contribute significantly to the increase in the GAI and GSR in Lavras and, therefore, to the city's environmental quality. Such spaces surpass, in extension, those of the public domain and should be included in UGS calculations when assessing the green infrastructure of cities. Urban green spaces (UGSs) can be public (allowing all citizens access) or private (in which there is a restriction on who can use them). In consequence, only public areas are inserted in the UGS quantity calculations and other indicators since it is assumed that they are the only areas able to provide some benefits, such as leisure. Aiming to prove that, based on some criteria, it is feasible inserting private green areas in the urban green quantification indexes according to their provided benefits, even in a restricted manner, this research surveyed qualitative and quantitative limited-access green spaces (such as schools, clubs, religious institutions, among others) using a city as a model. It was verified that the insertion is feasible, positively impacting the indexes, meaning that these spaces are larger than the public ones considering their extension. Despite this positive aspect, such places play different functions in their population. On one side, the private ones, due to being extensively vegetated, play a mainly environmental role, needing to be protected and preserved, while the public ones promote a higher social and cultural interaction due to their open access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Stormwater Green infrastructure (SWGI) is seen as an approach to increase the climate resilience of urban areas, because they can buffer precipitation changes brought on by climate change. However, SWGI features themselves need to be resilient to climate change to be able to contribute to the resilience of cities. Thus, we aimed to develop a SWGI resilience assessment framework that could be used to identify challenges and to inform decisionmakers' efforts to enhance resilience. We developed a resilience assessment framework based upon a resilience matrix approach to recognize effective resilience categories for SWGI by reviewing the literature on critical functionality and barriers to implementation and operation. These categories for SWGI included policy, design, maintenance, economic factors and social factors that influence SWGI functionality. We then identified specific aspects under each category that could be used for assessing SWGI resilience, recognizing that SWGI has critical functionalities and factors controlling its viability. Unlike other SWGI assessment frameworks that are focused on ecosystem services as a final outcome, we worked from a socio-ecological perspective in order to include socio-economic and policy factors and design and planning aspects that affect service provision. Developing a resilience assessment framework is critical for management because it can reveal the specific challenges facing SWGI resilience that have traditionally been overlooked, such as maintenance and social factors. This specific framework can also lead to efficient planning and management by identifying interrelations and hierarchical relationships of categories that influence resilience. Application of this framework will rely upon expert input to connect broad dimensions with specific indicators for SWGI to local priorities in resilience planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) has been endorsed by multiple international organizations as one of the priority approaches to address climate-related challenges. These solutions are versatile, and can simultaneously address challenges such as climate impacts, public health, inequality, and the biodiversity crisis, being uniquely suited for urban adaptation. NbS are particularly relevant in the developing world, where strategies should be as self-reliant as possible, reducing the need for technological processes that require expensive and complex maintenance. NbS can also promote political, societal, cultural, and ultimately, systems change. The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on the use of NbS for urban adaptation, identifying the main opportunities, challenges, and, most specifically, knowledge gaps, which can be addressed in subsequent research. The present paper identifies four types of knowledge gaps that are particularly relevant for the use of NbS for urban adaptation: future climate uncertainty, lack of site-specific technical design criteria, governance strategies, and effectiveness assessment evaluation. To overcome local governments' limitations, specific implementation strategies and structures should be considered, centered on knowledge transfer within a transdisciplinary and participatory framework. These should be developed in partnership with urban planning entities, seeking to consolidate these approaches in policies that support social resilience and institutional capacity. Therefore, urban adaptation should be initiated with pilot projects to simultaneously address the urgency for implementation, while allowing urban planning practices the time to adjust, building capacity at the local level, and filling knowledge gaps through the assessment of effectiveness. The climate-resilience of urban tree species adequate to the future climate was identified as a relevant knowledge gap for the implementation of NbS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest globally in the potential of urban farming to respond to a breadth of urban sustainability challenges. Yet it is also recognised that the policy and implementation of this nature-based strategy is influenced by an underlying science–policy–practice community. The aim of this paper is to understand how different actors and knowledges come together to form a science–policy–practice community for a citywide urban farming initiative—Taipei Garden City. The result shows that the science–policy–practice community was formed in a dynamic 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' process. This allows long-term public–private partnership to be developed and enables different knowledges and experiences to co-exist in policies and practices. This study argues that in-between spaces and actors, who can cut across different fora, are vital to make urban farming interventions happen. Nonetheless, we also question the extent to which embodied and experiential knowledge is sufficient to support environmentally and socially appropriate outcomes for attaining urban sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization, aging infrastructure, and climate change impacts have put a strain on existing stormwater drainage systems. One commonly acknowledged solution to relieve such stress is Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). Interest in GSI technology has been growing. However, the level of implementation in many areas around the world lags behind the interest level. This study aims to critically review the body of literature from the last decade to determine the main barriers to wide adoption and the offered solutions to overcome them. Based on a review of 92 peer‐reviewed journal articles published between 2012 and 2022, we classify barriers and solutions into six categories: socio‐cultural, financial, institutional and governance, legislative and regulatory, technical, and biophysical. Based on observations and conclusions from the reviewed articles, we recommend the following pillars and considerations for more GSI adoption: increasing awareness and outreach programs; enhancing knowledge and data co‐production and dissemination; acknowledging interdependency and context‐specificity of many of the challenges and solutions; prioritizing integrated and participatory watershed planning; overcoming institutional path‐dependencies; prioritizing innovative solutions; giving specific consideration to maintenance protocols; considering the role of public entities; and actively engaging with communities. This article is categorized under:Engineering Water > Planning WaterWater and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyse the transformation of urban greenery into greenfield housing development from 2019 to 2023 in the medium-sized city of Rzeszow (Poland) by evaluating the validity of references to the greenery in advertising texts on the developers' websites. Furthermore, to assess the impact of the proposed greenery-related changes on urban green infrastructure. Through web-based research, 13 greenfield housing developments were identified. Changes in land use of areas that were allocated to urban green infrastructure were highlighted by applying GIS spatial analysis. The written and visual content analysis identified references to greenery in advertising campaigns. Finally, status relations analysis was performed to assess whether the specific advertising website presents an added ecological asset that can be considered as a nature-based solution or should be interpreted as greenwashing. The study revealed that the advertising websites for greenfield housing development constructed from 2019 to 2023 in Rzeszow do not represent an additional ecological asset, but committed greenwashing. All analysed housing estates trigger irretrievable environmental damage. The advertising material does not define the environmental indicators of the housing estates, including how the new construction would compensate for the destruction of natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinators are key ecosystem components and their conservation represents a critical target for both nature and human health. In a world of increasing urbanisation, cities and peri-urban areas have to be active players in addressing this target, and in-depth knowledge of the effects of the urbanisation gradient and related landscape features on pollinators has to be acquired. Accordingly, an experimental study on the relationships between bee communities and natural vs. human-induced environmental heterogeneity has been carried out in a transitional peri-urban landscape of the Metropolitan area of Rome (Italy). A multi-step procedure was adopted, arranged into plant and bee communities field sampling, detailed mapping of actual and potential ecosystems, and combined processing and modelling of the respective results. The potential contribution of experimental findings to the deployment of a pollinator-friendly Green Infrastructure (GI) has been then explored, with statistical correlations between bee diversity and landscape metrics adopted for defining conservation and restoration actions and a multi-criteria analysis adopted for site prioritisation in the study area. Such a planned GI could represent an effective solution for enhancing resilience and resistance of peri-urban landscapes against land take and agricultural intensification, as local expressions of global biodiversity loss drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas are human–environmental systems that rely heavily on ecosystems for long-term sustainability, and ecosystems and their components are essential to city life. Previous reviews have drawn a range of conclusions relevant to the future analysis and implementation of ecological and facility assessments. Overall, however, there is still a need to develop more systematic methods to comprehensively assess and evaluate urban ecosystem services (UES) in a temporal dimension for use in both historical monitoring studies and prospective research. Using CiteSpace, this study assessed the history and current state of UES research from multiple angles, as well as identified research structures and emerging trends in this field. The main findings are as follows: (i) The study of UES can be divided into three distinct but interconnected stages: preparation, rise, and prosperity. There are substantial prospects for UES research to develop worldwide collaborative networks, since it is increasingly expanding from domains focused on ecological or environmental science to those that draw from a wider range of disciplines. (ii) UES has evolved slowly from large-scale research to more focused, smaller-scale studies. Research on the subject of UES focuses primarily on two primary areas: land-use change and the development of green infrastructure. (iii) Sustainability in cities is currently a hot issue, and an important area of this study is the role that urban ecosystem services plays in ensuring residents' health and happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green infrastructure of the city of Novi Sad is characterized by a significant presence of ornamental invasive alien species, which might lead to their uncontrolled spread and suppression of autochthonous dendroflora. This study aimed to determine the ecosystem services and disservices of ornamental dendroflora in Novi Sad, as well as how they can affect urban green areas. Of the total ornamental dendroflora in Novi Sad, 88.33% of species with a good adaptation were determined, while 10% had a medium and 1.67% had a very good adaptation. Thirty-four allochthonous species showed very high (38.24%), moderate (47.06%), and low (14.71%) invasive potential according to the conducted invasiveness risk assessment. These species are also characterized by high (2.94%), moderate (67.65%), and low (29.41%) allergenic potential. On the contrary, 26 ornamental autochthonous species are characterized by moderate (38.46%) and low (61.54%) rates of spread on public green areas, while also characterized by high (26.92%), moderate (50%), and weak (23.08%) allergenic potential. Ornamental dendroflora provides many more positive ecosystem services, such as urban afforestation, climate regulation, decorative-aesthetic value, air and water purification, ecotourism and recreation, and other services that are of great benefit to the residents of that city. The highest calculated values of ecosystem services in allochthonous and autochthonous species were 27 and 26.5 (out of possible maximal value 40), while ecosystem disservices accounted down to the value of − 13.5 (out of possible minimal value − 22). Therefore, intrinsic disservices such as the production of large amounts of green waste of ornamental dendroflora can be shifted into a novel ecosystem service–green solutions based on nature, to avoid unsuitable deposition of seeds in the soil and creation of suitable vegetation on public green areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are becoming popular in urban planning and policy making as cost-effective solutions capable of delivering multiple ecosystem services and addressing several societal challenges. So far, however, the cost-effectiveness of urban NBS projects has not been consistently quantified by built environment professionals, who lack user-friendly tools to account for the environmental costs and benefits of NBS. This paper presents a prototype online decision support tool (NBenefit$®) that calculates the negative and positive environmental impacts, externalities, and financial values of planned urban forests over their entire life cycle. NBenefit$ relies on a modelling framework that combines system dynamics, urban ecology, and life cycle thinking approaches, and it is presented as a visual web-based interface. An online map and a grid of cells is used to map the site of intervention, to delineate the size of the urban forest, and to define variations in abiotic, biotic, and management attributes in each site. Outputs are provided by year, for the entire site and NBS life cycle. The potential value of NBenefit$ as a supporting tool was exemplified with the calculation of 48 urban forest archetypes, a few of which were used to set scenarios for a hypothetical urban forest in Madrid (Spain). The results showcase the impact that decisions taken during the planning, design, or management of an NBS project may have on its long-term performance. Future works will expand the scope of NBenefit$, including other types of urban NBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canberra, a city known as a "garden city" that emerged in the early twentieth century, is developing at a speedy rate. The compact city vision for Canberra was announced in ACT Planning Strategy 2018 while the city encounters climate change impacts. Although urban compaction has its own benefits, it is considered a challenge for maintaining and developing the quality and quantity of urban green spaces. Canberra owns a unique urban design legacy and is known for its bush capital/garden city character, which has intertwined the social and ecological layers of the city. The concern around urban compaction and densification calls for holistic green infrastructure (GI) planning to balance the built and non-built infrastructure. To do so, it is necessary to understand the underlying social-cultural and ecological layers of Canberra's green spaces and the Ecosystem Services (ESS) they offer. The application of multiple ESS in the current GI planning and governance practices is another issue that needs to be examined to inform future development. Thus, this qualitative research seeks to understand the ESS discourses in Canberra's GI and the challenges in applying these ESS in planning and governance. We used a socio-ecological approach to design the research and understand the multidimensional values and benefits of Canberra's green spaces. We adopted semi-structured interviews with twelve experts from relevant disciplines with specific knowledge of Canberra's urban landscape and green spaces to find out the socio-ecological synopsis of Canberra's GI and green spaces governance. We found that it is necessary to mainstream multiple ESS in Canberra's GI to amplify the existing socio-ecological values. The abundance of green spaces in Canberra can be better used to make a multifunctional landscape that serves multiple ESS. However, we identified the maintenance and budget issues as the main challenges that can be addressed by improving community engagement. To design an effective GI network and mainstream ESS in green spaces, the planning and governance system should employ a transdisciplinary, multi-object and multi-scale approach and state-of-the-art technologies. Moreover, this research underlined the importance of a protocol and guidelines that monitor the landscape projects' design and delivery correspondence to the high-level policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageing and urbanisation pose significant challenges for public health and urban planning. Ageing populations are at particular risk from hazards arising from urbanisation processes, some of which are in turn exacerbated by climate change. One approach for mitigating the negative effects of urbanisation on ageing populations is the leveraging of the beneficial effects of urban green infrastructure as a public health intervention in the planning process. We assessed the potential of available theoretical frameworks to provide the context for such leverage. This involved active engagement with academics and practitioners specialising in ageing, green infrastructure and health and well-being through a knowledge-brokering approach. We concluded that an integrated and comprehensive framework on the socio-cultural-ecological determinants of health is lacking. To address this, we present a set of principles for overcoming challenges to knowledge integration when working at the intersection of green infrastructure, ageing, health and well-being. Our findings—and the co-production process used to generate them—have wider significance for trans-disciplinary research into the benefits of the natural environment to human health and well-being as well as other complex and interconnected topics associated with global grand challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the world is facing resource scarcity as the environmental impacts of human intervention continue to intensify. To facilitate the conservation and recovery of ecosystems and to transform cities into more sustainable, intelligent, regenerative, and resilient environments, the concepts of circularity and nature-based solutions (NbS) are applied. The role of NbS within green infrastructure in urban resilience is recognised, and considerable efforts are being made by the European Commission (EC) to achieve the European sustainability goals. However, it is not fully evidenced, in an integrated way, which are the main NbS implemented in the urban environment and their effects. This article aims to identify the main and most recent NbS applied in urban environments at the European level and to analyse the integration of different measures as an innovative analysis based on real cases. For this purpose, this work presents a literature review of 69 projects implemented in 24 European cities, as well as 8 urban actions and 3 spatial scales of implementation at the district level. Therefore, there is great potential for NbS adoption in buildings and their surroundings, which are still not prioritized, given the lack of effective monitoring of the effects of NbS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comparative study aims to test the hypothesis according to which environmental awareness of planners is crucial to sustainable cities with a healthy and well connected green infrastructure able to provide ecosystem services. To test the hypothesis, we compared two cities, Bucharest (Romania) and Chisinau (Moldova), based on quantitative analyses using CORINE land cover and use data to analyze the land structure and its dynamic, and qualitative analyses focused on the planning process. Our findings suggest that both cities share a decreasing interest for planning for their green infrastructure, which was lost and fragmented. The process was aggravated in Bucharest by post-communist property restitution. Based on the results, we recommend planners in post-communist countries to give more attention to the green infrastructure, in order to produce plans fitted to the welfare and sustainability needs of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the world, cities and densely populated areas are striving to both uplift the quality of the environment as well as enhance their sustainability. Part of this endeavour entails the promotion of urban greening. In Durban, on the east coast of South Africa, rooftop greening practices are gaining some traction with a view to achieving the sustainable development of a greener environment for the city and surrounding areas, although on a smaller scale than many other cities. There has been little empirical research done on green roofs within a local context, especially concerning green roofs as green infrastructure in urban planning tools for creating sustainable resilient city spaces by helping them mitigate against climate change. The quantitative analysis of this research measured temperatures and the urban heat island effect (UHI) of green roofs, as well as control sites over a seven-year period. The total average temperature differences over a seven-year period during the summer months (January/February) witnessed one green roof measuring 9.2 degrees Celsius lower than the control roof. The rationale for this research was to offer support for the benefits of green roofs in mitigating against an increase in inner-city heat islands in the case of Durban's Central Business District (CBD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The destruction of the ecological system caused by urban expansion has led to the environmental deterioration, cities have become increasingly vulnerable. In this study, six districts and counties along the Yellow River in Zhengzhou were selected as the study area. First, green infrastructure elements were extracted by morphological spatial pattern analysis. Then, outside the urban areas, we used connectivity analysis to evaluate the importance of core areas, adopted minimum cumulative resistance model to extract potential corridors, and identified the important corridors by using the gravity model. Finally, in the urban areas, we set up an evaluation system to assess the demands for ecosystem services. The results showed that: (1) Seven landscape types of green infrastructure be identified in study area. (2) There are 17 vital cores, 136 potential corridors, and 24 vital corridors outside the urban areas. (3) The blocks with high demand for ecosystem services are mostly concentrated in the old blocks with dense populations and poor infrastructure, and there are 5 blocks with comprehensive high-demand. Based on identified importance for green infrastructure land space, and high-demand level for ecosystem services areas in this study, a green infrastructure net plan was proposed based on spatial conservation prioritisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban heat island (UHI) effect has a serious negative impact on urban ecosystems and human well-being. Mitigating UHI through nature-based methods is highly recommended. The cooling effect of urban blue infrastructure (UBI) can significantly alleviate the effects of UHI. Revealing the crucial influencing factors of the cooling effect of UBI is of great significance for mitigating the UHI effect. In this study, the water-cooling intensity (WCI) and water-cooling range (WCR) were used to quantitatively analyze the cooling effect of UBI in Hefei city in summer. Furthermore, the influencing factors and their interactions with the cooling effect of UBI were investigated based on the Geodetector model. The results revealed that: (1) The surface thermal environment of the built-up area of Hefei presented obvious spatial differentiation characteristics. (2) There were nine influencing factors that significantly influenced the WCI variation, with the greatest influencing factor of road density. In contrast, only the landscape shape index had a significant effect on WCR variation. (3) The interaction of environmental characteristics, water body characteristics, and socioeconomic characteristics had a significant influence on the cooling effect of UBI, and the interaction relationship between the influencing factors was mutually enhanced. The findings from our research can provide a theoretical reference and practical guidance for the protection, restoration, and planning of UBI as a nature-based solution to improve the urban thermal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]