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Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Landscape Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 12705

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luca Battisti

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Guest Editor

Department of Cultures, Politics and Society, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
Interests: ecosystem services; participatory mapping; nature-based solutions; landscape ecology

Dr. Fabrizio Aimar

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Interests: resilience; landscape resilience; cultural heritage; landscape planning; sustainable architecture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Federico Cuomo

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Guest Editor

Polytechnic of Milan, School of Management, Milan, Italy
Interests: collaborative governance; circular economy; co-production; policy analysis; management of protected areas

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban ecosystems are home to the majority of the world's population. These ecosystems are complex and constantly changing. Green areas, in which we would like to include urban horticulture, cemeteries, urban forests and nature-based solutions in this context, are essential components for the well-being of citizens, providing several ecosystem services (ES).

In order to benefit from these services over time, it is necessary to map and assess them, as well as analyze and improve policy tools, collaborative governance patterns and urban planning strategies.

This Special Issue focuses on mapping and assessing urban ES; planning urban green spaces in order to improve the provision of ES; formulating consistent policies and strengthening government management of green spaces; analyzing the functioning of collaborative governance arrangements related to urban green spaces; and deepening the set of innovative policy tools (e.g., living labs) used to establish ES.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Luca Battisti
Dr. Fabrizio Aimar
Dr. Federico Cuomo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

ecosystem services
green areas
urban ecology
green infrastructure
urban forest
urban resilience
urban planning and policies
urban governance
urban horticulture
cemeteries and sacred places

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 12738 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geospatial Prioritization of Terrains for “Greening” Urban Infrastructure

by Bilyana Borisova, Lidiya Semerdzhieva, Stelian Dimitrov, Stoyan Valchev, Martin Iliev and Kristian Georgiev

Land 2024, 13(9), 1487; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091487 - 13 Sep 2024

Viewed by 671

Abstract

This study aims to scientifically justify the identification of suitable urban properties for urban green infrastructure (UGI) interventions to optimize its natural regulating functions for long-term pollution mitigation and secondary dust reduction. This study adheres to the perception that planning urban transformations to improve ambient air quality (AQ) requires a thorough understanding of urban structural heterogeneity and its interrelationship with the local microclimate. We apply an approach in which UGI and its potential multifunctionality are explored as a structural–functional element of urban local climatic zones. The same (100 × 100 m) spatial framework is used to develop place-based adapted solutions for intervention in UGI. A complex geospatial analysis of Burgas City, the second largest city (by area) in Bulgaria, was conducted by integrating 12 indicators to reveal the spatial disbalance of AQ regulation’ demand and UGI’s potential to supply ecosystem services. A total of 174 municipally owned properties have been identified, of which 79 are of priority importance, including for transport landscaping, inner-quarter spaces, and social infrastructure. Indicators of population density and location of social facilities were applied with the highest weight in the process of prioritizing sites. The study relies on public data and information from the integrated city platform of Burgas, in cooperation with the city’s government. The results have been discussed with stakeholders and implemented by the Municipality of Burgas in immediate greening measures in support of an ongoing program for Burgas Municipality AQ improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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20 pages, 2679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Green Infrastructure along the Urban-Rural Gradient of the Cities of Bujumbura, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi

by Henri Kabanyegeye, Nadège Cizungu Cirezi, Héritier Khoji Muteya, Didier Mbarushimana, Léa Mukubu Pika, Waselin Salomon, Yannick Useni Sikuzani, Kouagou Raoul Sambieni, Tatien Masharabu and Jan Bogaert

Land 2024, 13(9), 1467; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091467 - 10 Sep 2024

Viewed by 313

Abstract

This study analyses the dynamics of green infrastructure (GI) in the cities of Bujumbura, Kinshasa, and Lubumbashi. A remote sensing approach, combined with landscape ecology metrics, characterized this analysis, which was based on three Landsat images acquired in 2000, 2013, and 2022 for each city. Spatial pattern indices reveal that GI was suppressed in Bujumbura and Kinshasa, in contrast to Lubumbashi, which exhibited fragmentation. Furthermore, the values of stability, aggregation, and fractal dimension metrics suggest that Bujumbura experienced rather intense dynamics and a reduction in the continuity of its GI, while Kinshasa showed weaker dynamics and tendencies towards patch aggregation during the study period. In contrast, Lubumbashi exhibited strong dynamics and aggregation of its GI within a context of significant anthropization. The evolution of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index demonstrates a sawtooth pattern in the evolution of tall vegetation patches in Bujumbura, compared to a gradual decrease in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. It is recommended that urban growth in these cities should be carefully planned to ensure the integration of sufficient GI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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19 pages, 29614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Ecological Functional Zoning: A Data-Driven Approach for Sustainable Land Use and Environmental Management—A Case Study in Shenzhen, China

by Yu Li, Fenghao Zhang, Ruifan Li, Hongbing Yu, Yao Chen and Han Yu

Land 2024, 13(9), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091413 - 2 Sep 2024

Viewed by 602

Abstract

A comprehensive approach to ecological functional zoning in the Shenzhen region of China is presented in this study. Through the integration of advanced geospatial analysis tools, multiple data sources, and sophisticated statistical techniques, different ecological functions have been identified and categorized based on a comprehensive set of indicators and spatial analysis techniques. The three-level zoning framework established in this study offers policymakers, urban planners, and environmental managers a nuanced understanding of the region’s environmental characteristics, and highlights areas of ecological significance that warrant special attention and protection. It has been demonstrated that the data-driven approach to ecological functional zoning is effective in delineating distinct ecological zones within the study area. This study’s findings carry significant implications for future land use planning, conservation efforts, and sustainable development practices in the Shenzhen region. In essence, this study contributes to the broader discourse on ecological planning and environmental management by providing a systematic and data-driven approach to delineating ecological functional zones in urbanizing regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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18 pages, 1097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping and Assessing Effective Participatory Planning Processes for Urban Green Spaces in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Diverse Communities

by Yiwen Cui, Morten Gjerde and Bruno Marques

Land 2024, 13(9), 1412; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091412 - 1 Sep 2024

Viewed by 592

Abstract

The multicultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand presents a rich tapestry of diversity and community needs, underscoring an imperative for inclusive participatory planning processes. This paper presents findings from an investigation of the challenges and opportunities inherent in community engagement initiatives, particularly within the context of New Zealand’s major ethnic groups, including New Zealand European, Māori, Chinese, and Pasifika. Drawing from the importance of community participation in reshaping public open spaces, this research addressed the gap in understanding which participatory planning processes are most effective across diverse cultural groups. To investigate the effectiveness of various approaches to community engagement, this research involved focus groups from the Wellington suburbs of Newtown and Porirua, utilising both on-site and online meetings. The findings identify the most effective participation processes for planning public open spaces in relation to each ethnicity. Correlations between participant preferences and their unique cultural backgrounds were assessed. In addition, the least effective participation methods along with several relatively effective participation methods are discussed. By highlighting engagement methods that can foster inclusivity, equity, and a sense of community, this research advances a collective goal of building a more cohesive and effective society for all its inhabitants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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17 pages, 5964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Urban Carbon Storage and Its Dynamics Using InVEST Model

by Richa Sharma, Lolita Pradhan, Maya Kumari, Prodyut Bhattacharya, Varun Narayan Mishra and Deepak Kumar

Land 2024, 13(9), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091387 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 504

Abstract

Carbon storage estimates are essential for sustainable urban planning and development. This study examines the spatio-temporal effects of land use and land cover changes on the provision and monetary value of above- and below-ground carbon sequestration and storage during 2011, 2019, and the simulated year 2027 in Noida. The Google Earth Engine-Random Forests (GEE-RF) classifier, the Cellular Automata Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) model, and the InVEST-CCS model are some of the software tools applied for the analysis. The findings demonstrate that the above- and below-ground carbon storage for Noida is 23.95 t/ha. Carbon storage in the city increased between 2011 and 2019 by approximately 67%. For the predicted year 2027, a loss in carbon storage is recorded. The simulated land cover for the year 2027 indicates that if the current pattern continues for the next decade, the majority of the land will be transformed into either built-up or barren land. This predicted decline in agriculture and vegetation would further lead to a slump in the potential for terrestrial carbon sequestration. Urban carbon storage estimates provide past records to serve as a baseline and a precursor to study future changes, and therefore more such city-scale analyses are required for overall urban sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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26 pages, 5744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conceptualisation of the Regulatory Framework of Green Infrastructure for Urban Development: Identifying Barriers and Drivers

by Dragan Vujičić, Nevena Vasiljević, Boris Radić, Andreja Tutundžić, Nevenka Galečić, Dejan Skočajić and Mirjana Ocokoljić

Land 2024, 13(5), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050692 - 15 May 2024

Viewed by 1115

Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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24 pages, 4412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Spatial Heterogeneity in Urban Park Vitality for a Sustainable Built Environment: A Case Study of Changsha

by Liwei Qin, Wenke Zong, Kai Peng and Rongpeng Zhang

Land 2024, 13(4), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040480 - 8 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1193

Abstract

In the realm of sustainable city development, evaluating the spatial vitality of urban green spaces (UGS) has become increasingly pivotal for assessing public space quality. This study delves into the spatial heterogeneity of park vitality across diverse urban landscapes at a city scale, addressing limitations inherent in conventional approaches to understanding the dynamics of park vitality. Leveraging geotagged check-in data from 65 parks in the study case of Changsha City, a quantitative analysis was undertaken to assess spatial vitality. The investigation incorporated data concerning internal and external factors influencing park vitality, employing the Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model to dissect nuanced spatial heterogeneity. The research uncovers notable spatial discrepancies in factors influencing park vitality across diverse urban areas, emphasizing the reliance on adjacent residential communities and internal commercial amenities provision. These dependencies correspond with economic development differences among urban locales, revealing distinct geographic trends. This study has a novel perspective and methodology for investigating urban park vitality, providing significant insights for urban green space planning and management. It emphasizes the necessity of acknowledging spatial diversity in urban park planning and design by incorporating the distinct socio-economic characteristics of each urban zone, which is crucial for both urban planners and policymakers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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29 pages, 6417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evolution Model, Mechanism, and Performance of Urban Park Green Areas in the Grand Canal of China

by Zihan Cai, Sidong Zhao, Mengshi Huang and Congguo Zhang

Land 2024, 13(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010042 - 30 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1243

Abstract

Urban park green areas are part of territorial space planning, shouldering the mission of providing residents with high-quality ecological products and public space. Using a combination of several measurement models such as the BCG (Boston Consulting Group) matrix, ESDA (Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis), MLR (Machine Learning Regression), GWR (Geographically Weighted Regression), and GeoDetector, this paper presents an empirical study on the changes in Urban Park Green Areas (UPGAs) in the Grand Canal of China. By quantitatively measuring the spatio–temporal evolution patterns of UPGAs, this study reveals the driving mechanisms behind them and proposes policy recommendations for planning and management based on performance evaluation. The spatio–temporal evolution of UPGAs and their performance in China’s Grand Canal are characterized by significant spatial heterogeneity and correlation, with diversified development patterns such as HH (High-scale–High-growth), HL (High-scale–Low-growth), LH (Low-scale–High-growth), and LL (Low-scale–Low-growth) emerging. The evolution performance is dominated by positive oversupply and positive equilibrium, where undersupply coexists with oversupply. Therefore, this paper recommends the implementation of a zoning strategy in the future spatial planning of ecological green areas, urban parks, and green infrastructure. It is also recommended to design differentiated construction strategies and management policies for each zoning area, while promoting inter-city mutual cooperation in the joint preparation and implementation of integrated symbiosis planning. Furthermore, the spatio–temporal evolution of the UPGAs in the Grand Canal of China is influenced by many factors with very complex dynamic mechanisms, and there are significant differences in the nature, intensity, spatial effects, and interaction effects between different factors. Therefore, in the future management of ecological green areas, urban parks, and green infrastructure, it is necessary to interconnect policies to enhance their synergies in population, aging, industry and economy, and ecological civilization to maximize the policy performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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19 pages, 4006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Trade-Offs and Synergies between Ecosystem Services in Guangdong Province, China

by Qian Xu, Ying Yang, Ren Yang, Li-Si Zha, Zi-Qing Lin and Shu-Hao Shang

Land 2024, 13(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010032 - 26 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1319

Abstract

The trade-offs between ecosystem services directly affect the quality of the ecological environment and the survival and development of human society, which is of great concern to academia, governments, and non-governmental organizations. Guangdong Province is a strong economic performer in China; hence, we selected it to explore the trade-off and synergy differences between different ecosystem services, and to investigate the mechanisms of their influence in economically developed regions with a large population density. Our results showed three main points: (1) The ecosystem services in Guangdong Province showed clear spatial heterogeneity. In addition, northern Guangdong has high levels of water retention, with a value of 5804.73 × 10⁴ m³/km² and high values for carbon sequestration and soil retention. Western Guangdong is a functional area for food production, and the Pearl River Delta is an economically developed region with low levels of ecosystem services. (2) Overall, in Guangdong Province, three pairs of ecosystem services, namely water retention–soil retention, carbon sequestration–water retention, and carbon sequestration–soil retention, showed a strong positive correlation and good synergistic relationships. The other three pairs of relationships show strong trade-off effects. (3) The relationships between similar ecosystem services show completely different characteristics in different regions. Carbon sequestration and water retention, carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation, water retention and biodiversity conservation, and soil retention and biodiversity conservation were mainly manifested in high–high synergies, particularly in northern Guangdong; carbon sequestration and soil retention and water retention and soil retention, primarily manifested synergies; carbon sequestration and food production, water retention and food production, and soil retention and food production mainly manifested as trade-off relationships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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24 pages, 4774 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Land Use Changes on Ecosystem Services Supply: A Meta Analysis of the Italian Context

by Davide Marino, Antonio Barone, Angelo Marucci, Silvia Pili and Margherita Palmieri

Land 2023, 12(12), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122173 - 16 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2547

Abstract

Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) are caused by several factors, including climate change, socio-demographic dynamics, human pressures and urban sprawl. These factors alter the structure and functionality of ecosystems and their capacity to provide ecosystem goods and services to society. The study of LULC changes is important for understanding the dynamics of relationships between environmental, social and economic components and for analyzing the factors affecting natural capital. Including ecosystem services (ES) in spatial planning tools and sectoral policies is useful for improving governance. In this paper, the impact of LULC changes on ES provision has been estimated. To this end, we carried out a literature review (Step 1) to select the biophysical and economic coefficients of ES supply by land cover classes and collect them in a database (Step 2). We subsequently aggregated the economic and biophysical coefficients by macro classes (Step 3) and, using the benefit transfer approach, we estimated the change in the supply of ESs concerning permanence and transition phenomena in Italy from 1990 to 2018 (Step 4). The transition phenomena analysis also allowed us to evaluate the consequences of urbanization and urban green space governance on ES supply. Indeed, these urban green spaces can help reduce risks to people’s health and safety and mitigate the effects induced by climate change. In total, approximately 800 coefficients (biophysical and economic) of ESs supplied by Corine Land Cover classes were acquired. The results show a reduction in the annual supply of ecosystem services of EUR 927 million (2022) caused by LULC changes between 1990 and 2018. This research proposes a methodology to improve knowledge of ESs concerning anthropogenic impacts and to support land-use planning policies regarding Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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21 pages, 4887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Transition of Forest Cover and Its Cultural Values in Shrine/Temple Forests in the Mountainous and Foothill Areas of Kyoto City: A Study Based on Topographic Maps and Aerial Photos

by Tomomi Funahashi and Shozo Shibata

Land 2023, 12(12), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122096 - 22 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1151

Abstract

There is growing interest in the diverse roles of forests in addressing climate change and biodiversity goals. Recent studies have indicated a disregard for the cultural values of forests that have been formed in close association with human activities. This may potentially lead to the loss of cultural characteristics, traditional forest knowledge, and biodiversity. This study explores historical forest dynamics and their unique cultural values from the end of the 19th century in 15 shrine/temple forests located in the mountainous and foothill areas of Kyoto city. Using geographical information systems (GIS) based on topographic maps and aerial photographs, this study investigates the forest composition in the 1890s, 1980s, and from 2010. The results indicate that approximately half of the targeted shrine/temple forests were composed of low Pinus densiflora forests and coppice forests in the 1890s. Between the 1890s and 1910s, coniferous forests were planted in these areas with the intention of land conservation and timber production. This distinctive forest cover became a typical characteristic for shrine/temple forests until the 1980s. However, from the 1980s, a decrease in the cultural value of shrine/temple forests was observed due to the lack of human activities in these forests. As a result, the distinction between shrine/temple forests and the surrounding forests has become blurred. This could potentially cause the homogenization of cultural characteristics. This study aims to inform readers of the cultural value associated with the historical landscape and biodiversity found in shrine/temple forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces: Planning, Policy Development and Governance Implications)

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