Search Results (67)

Urbanization is increasingly limiting daily human exposure to natural forest environments, highlighting the growing importance of urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in supporting human health and well-being. Among the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of forests, biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), particularly terpenes, are recognized as key contributors due to their bioactive properties and role in cultural ecosystem services related to human well-being. This study explores the potential of urban and natural trees of Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold to serve as sources of health-relevant BVOCs by examining seasonal and spatial variability in needle terpene profiles. Needle samples were collected from trees growing in an urban park and a protected natural area across three seasons (spring, summer, and autumn), and analyzed using headspace GC/MS. The study was designed as an exploratory assessment aimed at identifying general patterns of terpene variability across contrasting environments. Across all seasons and locations, α- and β-pinene consistently dominated the terpene profile, together accounting for the majority of detected compounds, and showed no significant variation in relation to site or season. In contrast, secondary monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes exhibited greater variability, contributing to context-dependent differences between environments. Despite these variations, the overall terpene composition remained relatively stable, particularly with respect to compounds previously associated with health-related effects. These preliminary findings provide insights into the potential role of Pinus nigra within urban and natural green infrastructure associated with nature-based health-oriented practices. The observed stability of health-related terpenes suggests that urban Austrian pine trees can represent a consistent source of compounds previously associated with health-related effects, although their relevance requires further investigation involving total and individual BVOC emissions measurements and human exposure assessments. Full article

Against the backdrop of urbanization and global warming, reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality have emerged as focal points in current urban ecological research. Urban green infrastructure (UGI) serves as the primary natural carbon sink within cities; therefore, investigating and optimizing its carbon sequestration services is a crucial step toward realizing carbon neutrality and fostering sustainable urban development. As the core components of urban ecosystems, urban parks provide essential ecosystem services that play a pivotal role in expanding carbon sinks, facilitating energy conservation and emission reduction, and enhancing urban climate resilience. This paper takes 20 parks in Linyi City’s central urban area as examples, systematically quantifies the carbon sequestration effect of urban parks in the central urban area of Linyi City from 2019 to 2024 using methods such as the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) and the gravity model, and quantitatively evaluates the equity of urban residents’ access to these services. The study shows that the overall annual average carbon sequestration rate of urban parks in Linyi City’s central area over nearly six years ranges from 202.02 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹ to 279.31 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹, while individual park annual averages range from 171.29 to 332.76 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹, falling within the normal range for cities at the same latitude; in terms of vegetation carbon sequestration capacity, woody plant communities dominate in this region, with annual average carbon sequestration rates approximately 10% higher than those dominated by herbaceous vegetation. In terms of intrinsic activity performance of carbon sequestration, overall, woody-dominated plant communities exhibit greater stability and resilience under extreme weather conditions, experiencing smaller impacts on ecological functions but longer recovery cycles to peak levels. Regarding equity in the supply and demand of ecosystem services, the Gini coefficient in the study area is 0.59, indicating an extremely imbalanced state; within the same park service range, up to 60% of residents do not benefit from carbon sequestration ecosystem services. The urban supply–demand mismatch reveals that approximately 20% of the population resides in high-demand–low-supply areas, experiencing extreme ecological deprivation; only about 13% of the population falls into the high-demand–high-supply category, this group being the high-benefit recipients who enjoy both spatial convenience and high-quality ecological welfare. The theoretical implications for urban green space planning: according to the results, merely expanding park green space area to increase per capita access is myopic and inadvisable in central urban park planning. Instead, greater emphasis should be placed on enhancing ecological service levels beyond basic area requirements, comprehensively improving vegetation quality and ecosystem service capacity of parks. In old urban areas constrained by land use, the hierarchical structure of vegetation should be strengthened, and micro green spaces should have enhanced ecological service capabilities to improve residents’ access rights through higher service quality. In newly developed urban areas, planning should balance quantity and quality to serve more people and alleviate urban ecological pressures. Overall, by quantitatively assessing the carbon sequestration capacity and the socio-spatial equity of ecosystem services provided by urban parks in Linyi City, this study offers robust empirical evidence and methodological tools for sustainable urban planning, ultimately fostering the sustainable development of urban ecosystems. Full article

Air quality improvement represents a critical challenge for the European Union, with particulate matter (PM) being the most harmful pollutant in urban areas. Urban Green Infrastructures (UGIs) provide essential ecosystem services that mitigate air pollution, notably through PM₁₀ removal via deposition on leaf surfaces, reducing health risks associated with poor air quality. This study quantifies the PM₁₀ removal supplied by urban forests in the Bydgoszcz–Toruń area (Poland) using a spatially explicit modeling framework. Remotely sensed Leaf Area Index, vegetation cover, and PM₁₀ concentration data were integrated within a GIS environment, with all analyses conducted on a seasonal basis to capture temporal variability in vegetation phenology and pollutant levels. Resulting maps of mean seasonal PM₁₀ removal efficiency (kg/ha) reveal distinct functional group patterns: deciduous broadleaves reach peak efficiency in summer, whereas conifers provide a more consistent year-round contribution, resulting in the highest annual removal. Monetary valuation was performed using externality costs from the European Environmental Agency. Overall, urban forests remove 3360.40 Mg of PM₁₀ annually, corresponding to an estimated value of 255.69 M€. Integrating biophysical and economic perspectives supports urban planning and highlights UGIs as nature-based solutions to enhance air quality, protect public health and promote ecosystem biodiversity and resilience. Full article

The development of urban green infrastructures (UGI) is considered among the main nature-based solutions for climate mitigation in cities; however, the role of soils in the carbon (C) balance of UGI ecosystems remains largely overlooked. Urban green spaces are typically dominated by constructed Technosols, created by adding organic materials on top of former natural or agricultural subsoils. The combined effects of land-use history and current UGI management result in a high spatial variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and soil CO₂ emissions. Our study aimed to explore this variation for the case of Wageningen University campus. Developed on a former agricultural land, the campus area includes green spaces dominated by trees, shrubs, lawns, and herbs, with well-documented management practices for each vegetation type. Across the campus area (~32 ha), a random stratified topsoil sampling (n = 90) was conducted to map the spatial variation of topsoil (0–10 cm) SOC stocks. At the key sites (n = 8), representing different vegetation types and time of development (old, intermediate, and recent), SOC profile distribution was analyzed including SOC fractionation in surface and subsequent horizons, as well as the dynamics in soil CO₂ emissions, temperature, and moisture. Topsoil SOC contents on campus ranged from 1.1 to 5.5% (95% confidence interval). On average, SOC stocks under trees and shrubs were 10–15% higher than those under lawns and herbs. The highest CO₂ emissions were observed from soil under lawns and coincided with a high proportion of labile SOC fraction. Temporal dynamics in soil CO₂ emissions were mainly driven by soil temperature, with the strongest relation (R² = 0.71–0.88) observed for lawns. Extrapolating this relationship to the calendar year and across the campus area using high-resolution remote sensing data on surface temperatures resulted in a map of the CO₂ emissions/SOC stocks ratio, used as a spatial proxy for C turnover. Areas dominated by recent and intermediate lawns emerged as hotspots of rapid C turnover, highlighting important differences in the role of various UGI types in the C balance of urban green spaces. Full article

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) is widely used to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Its multiple benefits are well documented, with health-related benefits receiving growing attention, especially post-COVID-19. However, the existing evidence remains fragmented and limited to narrow disciplinary perspectives, offering only partial insights into the intersection of UGI and climate adaptation measures with health co-benefits. This paper addresses these gaps by providing an interdisciplinary review of the field. It presents a systematic literature review of studies between 2015 and 2025, assessing the extent of documented evidence and drawing out key policy implications. The review adopts the PRISMA framework and synthesizes evidence from 178 primary research articles across seven databases. Health co-benefits are reported across ten types of UGI: residential greenery, urban vegetation, school greenery, trees, urban parks, urban forests, green roofs and walls, green streets, grasslands, and community or private gardens. Building on the review’s findings and additional literature, the paper discusses seven key implications for urban policy and spatial planning, which are relevant to climate adaptation policymakers, urban planners, and public health authorities working in cities. Full article

The rapid urbanization process has exacerbated the urban heat island (UHI) effect in megacities like Shanghai. Urban green infrastructure (UGI) plays a crucial role in mitigating the UHI effect; however, its cooling capacity is subject to various urban land development patterns. This study examined 39 typical locations in downtown Shanghai to measure how urban land development patterns affect the UGI’s cooling capacity. Using a data-driven framework, we identified 12 key influencing factors and explored 4 interactions for building three regression models: multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), and support vector regression (SVR). For each of these models, we considered two variations: a basic model neglecting interactions and an enhanced model including interactions. Results showed that all enhanced models outperformed their basic counterparts. On average, the enhanced models increased their predictive power by 14.59% for training data and 32.15% for testing data. Additionally, among the three enhanced models, the SVR-enhanced models show the best performance, followed by the PLSR-enhanced models. Their mean predictive power increased by 8.33−37.43% for training data and 31.77−43.558% for testing data vs. the MLR-enhanced models. Overall, our findings revealed that impervious surfaces contribute positively to urban warming, while UGI acts as a negative contributor. Moreover, we highlighted how urban land development metrics, particularly the UGI’s percentage and spatial arrangements in relation to adjacent buildings, significantly affect the thermal environment. The findings can offer valuable insights for urban planners and decision-makers involved in managing UGI and developing strategies for UHI mitigation and urban climate adaptation. Full article

Urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI) is a comprehensive solution that balances environmental, social, and economic development objectives and has emerged as a critical approach for fostering urban resilience and sustainable development. This paper conducts a systematic bibliometric analysis of 975 academic articles published between 2000 and 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing specifically on the ecosystem services associated with UBGI. Employing CiteSpace visualization technology, this study elucidates the major research trends, thematic clusters, and international collaboration patterns shaping this field. The research delves into the diverse range of ecosystem services provided by blue-green infrastructure and analyzes their contributions to urban well-being. Findings indicate that regulatory services—particularly climate regulation, biodiversity enhancement, and water resource management—have become central research foci within the contexts of urban green infrastructure (UGI), urban blue infrastructure (UBI), and UBGI. Co-citation and keyword analyses reveal that nature-based solutions, hybrid green–gray infrastructure, and the application of urban resilience frameworks are gaining increasing scholarly attention. By summarizing the evolutionary trajectory and priority directions of UBGI research, this study provides significant insights for future interdisciplinary research aimed at enhancing the supply of urban environmental ecosystem services. Full article

In response to the growing pressure from urban expansion and the risks associated with climate change, adapting cities and reintroducing nature into the urban environment are becoming increasingly urgent. The implementation of Urban Green Infrastructure plays a key role in adaptation strategies, thanks to its ability to offer a wide range of ecosystem services. However, the adaptation process must necessarily be trans-scalar and include collective participation to ensure a real improvement in both physical and social urban resilience. For this reason, citizen participation in planning processes is essential, but even more important is the recognition of their active role and the scope for private citizens’ involvement. The transformation of private spaces according to UGI principles and with a view to the common interest, however, is still a theme that is scarcely included in urban resilience plans. This study presents the results of a survey conducted in the case study of Milan through questionnaires and focus groups to record preferences, concerns, and priorities in the sustainable transformation of private open spaces. The outcome of the study is the definition of a toolkit for the design of private open spaces, integrating Nature-Based Solutions and adhering to UGI principles. Full article

Despite the importance of Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) as a provider of multiple Ecosystem Services (ESs), some concerns have been raised regarding Ecosystem Disservices (EDs) associated with UGI design and management, namely, the link between Urban Green Spaces’ (UGSs) attributes and invasion spatial patterns. This research takes the UGI of Coimbra, a medium-sized Portuguese city, as a case study to explore the relationships between UGS attributes and the occurrence of invasive plant species. The methodology involved aerial photo-interpretation and full patch survey to collect data about UGSs types, maintenance level and occurrence of invasive plant species, and landscape metrics analysis. Our results showed that the UGI of Coimbra exhibits a large prevalence of small UGSs with regular maintenance and the occurrence of invasive plant species in a low number of patches (17%). Although these patches correspond to 64% of the UGI. The area of recent sprawl (zone 2) registers higher occurrence of invasive plant species across different UGSs types, with higher prevalence in patches with no or low maintenance. Mapping the occurrence of invasive plant species in UGS is of utmost importance to implement appropriate maintenance practices, allowing medium-sized cities like Coimbra to optimize ESs associated with UGI and minimize potential EDs. Full article

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) projects rely on collaboration and involve a diverse team of professionals, including constructors, designers, green builders, and maintenance staff. This socially oriented case study focuses on the relational dynamics among UGI professionals, their roles in landscape construction processes, and how these relationships can influence the project’s success and its capacity to implement carbon-smart solutions. “Carbon-smart solutions” refers here to practices aimed at maximising carbon sequestration and storage while minimising carbon emissions. Data for this study were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analysed using deductive qualitative analysis. A coding framework, investigator triangulation, and a representative sample of various professionals were employed to confirm the data’s validity. This study identified several relational factors that either challenge or drive the project’s success and carbon smartness. At the interpersonal level, the determinant drivers and challengers in UGI professionals’ relations were linked to the definition of working roles, power dynamics, the building of mutual trust through open communication, and the possession of the necessary sustainability skills. At the institutional level, relations concerning the shared principles and rationales of the project, as well as the project design process and diverse working cultures, presented both constraints and advances in project success and carbon-smart solutions. Full article

Urbanisation in the context of climate change and rapid population growth presents an urgent need for innovative and sustainable urban planning. This study introduces the Green Blueprint, an original, spatially grounded, and evidence-informed conceptual framework designed to systematically embed ecosystem services into the planning, governance, and design of resilient and equitable cities in the United Kingdom. Unlike existing research that typically treats Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) as a discrete intervention or evaluates its benefits in isolation, the Green Blueprint integrates cross-sectoral governance, multifunctional land use, and participatory planning into a coherent, scalable model for urban resilience. Developed through a qualitative, interpretivist methodology and critical documentary analysis of secondary data including policy documents, academic literature, and case studies from London, Manchester, and Sheffield, this framework highlights how embedding ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, stormwater management, biodiversity enhancement, and public health into the urban fabric can support long-term climate adaptation and social equity. Rather than serving as a review, this paper advances a novel theoretical contribution through empirical synthesis and thematic cross-case comparison. It further identifies enabling governance structures and implementation pathways to support policy innovation and practical application. This study contributes a transferable planning template for cities aiming to achieve systemic UGI integration, offering clear value for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in sustainable urban development in the Anthropocene. Full article

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) plays a key role in fostering sustainability, resilience, and ecological balance in cities. However, the task of identifying priority areas for UGI implementation remains complex due to the multifactorial nature of urban systems and prevailing uncertainties. This study proposes a fuzzy inference system (FIS)-based framework composed of seven interconnected modules designed to assess diverse criteria, including flood vulnerability, water quality, habitat connectivity, vegetation condition, and social vulnerability. The model was applied in the urban watersheds of São José dos Campos, Brazil, a municipality recognized for its smart city initiatives and urban environmental complexity. Through the integration of multi-criteria spatial data, the framework effectively prioritized urban areas, highlighting critical zones for extreme event mitigation, water quality preservation, habitat conservation, and recreational space provision. The case study demonstrated that São José dos Campos, with an 11.73% urbanized area and 737,310 inhabitants, benefits from targeted UGI typologies, including sustainable drainage systems and green public spaces, aligning infrastructure interventions with specific spatial demands. Notably, the expert validation process involving 18 multidisciplinary specialists confirmed the model’s relevance and coherence, with the majority classifying the outcomes as “highly coherent”. The system’s modular structure, use of triangular membership functions, and incorporation of the gamma operator allow for adaptable prioritization across different planning horizons. By offering a transparent, expert-validated, and data-driven approach, the proposed method advances evidence-based decision-making and equips planners with a practical tool for UGI implementation in dynamic urban contexts. Full article

Urbanization in Jaipur, India, has led to a 42% decline in green cover over the past two decades, exacerbating urban heat, air pollution, groundwater depletion, and reduced livability. Green Infrastructure (GI) offers a sustainable solution, but effective implementation requires robust, data-driven strategies. This study employs geospatial technologies—GIS, remote sensing, and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)—to develop a suitability model for Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) planning. Using an entropy-based weighting approach, the model integrates environmental factors, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which fell by 18% between 2000 and 2020; Land Surface Temperature (LST), which increased by 1.8 °C; soil moisture; precipitation; slope; and land use/land cover (LULC). Proximity to water bodies was found to be a critical determinant of suitability, whereas land surface temperature and soil moisture played significant roles in determining UGI feasibility. The results were validated using NDVI trends and comparative analysis with prior studies so as to ensure accuracy and robustness. The suitability analysis reveals that 35% of Jaipur’s urban area, particularly peri-urban regions and river corridors, is highly suitable for UGI interventions, thereby presenting significant opportunities for urban cooling, flood mitigation, and enhanced ecosystem services. These findings align with India’s National Urban Policy Framework (2018) and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, supporting climate resilience and sustainable urban development. This geospatial approach provides a scalable methodology for integrating green spaces into urban planning frameworks across rapidly urbanizing cities. Full article

Urban green infrastructures (UGIs) are important elements of the urban matrix providing ecological functions and several ecosystem services beneficial to citizens. Recently, their contribution to the well-being and quality of life of citizens has been widely recognized by both the scientific community and policymakers. This study aims to explore the social relevance of UGI ecosystem services through a mixed qualitative–quantitative case study approach. First, a quantitative literature review was conducted using bibliometric network analysis, followed by a participatory process through a Scientific Café with a sample of Italian stakeholders involved in the UGIs’ planning and management. The bibliometric network analysis identified 443 documents (from 2000 to 2024) primarily focused on three ecosystem services provided by UGIs—climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and cultural services, such as health benefits, aesthetic, and recreation. The qualitative results of Scientific Café highlight a particular interest of stakeholders in cultural services such as physical and mental benefits provided by UGIs, as well as improving the urban aesthetic value. Additionally, the role of UGIs in microclimate regulation and heat mitigation was emphasized. The combined analysis of perspectives from the scientific community, policy-makers, stakeholders, and citizens provides a foundation for developing a participatory governance approach to UGIs. Full article

As the global population ages, respiratory health among the elderly has become a key public health concern. Although urban green infrastructure (UGI) has the potential to improve air quality and promote health, research on how its layout patterns influence respiratory health among older adults remains limited. This study focuses on elderly residents aged 60 and above in the central urban area of Shenyang, China, to evaluate the relative importance and interactions of different features affecting respiratory health. We utilized the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) to collect data on respiratory health and employed hierarchical regression and random forest (RF) models to analyze the impact of UGI factors across three spatial scales (300 m, 500 m, and 1000 m). The results indicate that UGI within a 300 m radius of participants’ residences contributes most significantly to respiratory health, with diminishing marginal effects as the spatial scale increases. Green space area (GSA) and the NDVI were identified as the most important factors influencing respiratory health, while green landscape pattern metrics had a greater influence at larger spatial extents. Additionally, a significant nonlinear marginal effect was observed between UGI and respiratory health. These findings provide key insights for health-oriented urban planning and green infrastructure design. Full article