Advances in Ecosystem Service Approaches in Municipal Planning for Human Well-being

Dear colleagues,

The concept of ecosystem services, which encompasses the human benefits derived from ecosystem functions generated by nature and ecosystems, have to be applied in urban green planning to manage and sustain ecosystem services. In urban areas, the creation of ecosystem services is crucial for human well-being. Ecosystem services include recreation, biodiversity air purification, water and climate regulation, storage of coal, and regulation of stormwater. The ecosystem service concept can today be perceived as a promising strategy for decision-making authorities when planning urban environments where healthy living conditions and good quality of life must be strengthened. The societal benefits that are most likely to arise if urban natural areas expand are, among other things, that people will use them for recreation and physical activities, that plants and trees will reduce smog and ground-level ozone, that plants and trees regulate and reduce temperature, that green areas improve the sound environment, that vegetation absorbs nutrient emissions, binds carbon dioxide and reduces stress and that, in the long run, all of these will increase the well-being of people. Several studies today show that nature experiences contribute to human health and well-being, so it is important to try to maintain experiences of nature in urban areas as they grow. In addition, sustainable urban planning, which includes ecosystem service approaches and solutions, will enable cities to adapt to the ongoing climate change and its effects. In this way, a city's resilience to risks, such as drought, floods and heat waves, increases and contributes to human well-being. As the world population continues to concentrate in cities, there is a great risk that people's opportunities for experiences in nature will diminish, which is alarming in that it is so strongly associated with human health. Municipalities are identified as key players in achieving the sustainability goals, as they are responsible for implementing many essential ecosystem services that influences people's living conditions. The rate of urbanization is a major characteristic of this century, and in order to provide healthy cities for the future, it is important to study municipal planning using ecosystem service approaches and its ability to promote human health and well-being. Thus, this Special Issue will focus on how municipalities and other stakeholders currently integrate ecosystem service approaches into urban planning and views on synergies and trade-offs between ecosystem services and human well-being.

Prof. Nils Ekelund
Dr. Per Schubert
Dr. Karin Book
Guest Editors

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• ecosystem services
• human well-being
• municipal planning
• physical activity
• recreation
• urbanization