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Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience...
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Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 7733

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bo Hong

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Guest Editor
College of Landscape Architecture & Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: air pollution in built environment; outdoor thermal comfort; bioclimatic design; urban biometeorology; CFD simulation; urban microclimate; urban heat exposure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessio Russo

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Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Interests: green infrastructure; sustainable design; urban ecosystem services and disservices; outdoor thermal comfort and mitigation of the urban heat island effect
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Wenxiao Jia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Landscape Architecture & Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: urban systems; urban heat island; blue-green infrastrure carbon sink

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban environments are increasingly important in building healthy, sustainable and resilient societies and ecosystems; disruptions to these ecosystems, such as urban heat islands, flooding, and drought, pose a threat to ecosystem service delivery and present challenges for urban planners. A nature-based solution (NBS) in urban development and planning decisions has been the adoption of green infrastructure; this concept refers to the provision and maintenance of natural and semi-natural green spaces within built “grey” infrastructure. Examples include urban parks, green walls and roofs, permeable pavements, green paths and streets, which each facilitate the mixing of human and natural systems with multiple ecosystem services in terms of provisioning, regulating, culture and support. The various environmental, ecological, and social benefits provided by urban green infrastructure to urban communities include beautifying the landscape, freshening the air, mitigating urban heat islands, lessening the effect of extreme climate change, providing urban carbon sinks, reducing carbon emissions, harboring biodiversity, boosting social and cultural cohesion, and promoting public health. Evaluating the ecosystem services of different green infrastructures has therefore become a key focus in urban ecosystem service assessments. In the rapid urbanization process, particularly in the face of climate change, exploring and optimizing urban green infrastructure for multiple ecosystem services would be helpful for sustainable city development. However, there are multiple uncertain questions we need to address where there is still incomplete knowledge.

For this Special Issue, we are interested in contributions that cover urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services through either empirical research or conceptual/theoretical work. Studies may examine any key processes, including but not limited to the following:

  • Urban green infrastructures as solutions for urban disasters, including extreme events;
  • Urban green infrastructure for urban resilience;
  • Urban ecosystem service assessment at different scales;
  • Urban green infrastructures for biodiversity conservation;
  • Urban green infrastructures for regulating climate;
  • Urban green infrastructures for public health;
  • Social and economic benefits of urban green infrastructure;
  • Urban green infrastructure and provisioning services.

Prof. Dr. Bo Hong
Dr. Alessio Russo
Dr. Wenxiao Jia
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

  • urban green infrastructure
  • ecosystem services
  • climate change
  • socio-ecological systems
  • spatial resilience
  • public health

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 17413 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Changes and Driving Mechanisms of Ecosystem Service Supply–Demand Contradictions Under Urbanization
by Hengkang Zhao, Xinyu Zhang, Wenqi Lu, Chenlin Wei, Dan He, Yakai Lei and Klaudia Borowiak
Land 2024, 13(11), 1884; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111884 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Clarifying the driving mechanisms of ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand under urbanization is of significant importance for urban ecological planning and management. However, how the balance of ES supply and demand and its driving mechanisms vary with the degree of urbanization has [...] Read more.
Clarifying the driving mechanisms of ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand under urbanization is of significant importance for urban ecological planning and management. However, how the balance of ES supply and demand and its driving mechanisms vary with the degree of urbanization has been little studied. In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal changes and the correlations between ES supply and demand and the degree of urbanization in the Zhengzhou Metropolitan Area (ZZMA) from 2000 to 2020 and further explored the driving mechanisms behind these changes. The results showed that, (1) between 2000 and 2020, the ZZMA experienced a deficit in comprehensive ES supply and demand, and regions with rapid urbanization development were more likely to trigger imbalances in ES supply and demand; (2) the spatial mismatch between low–high ES supply and demand was primarily distributed in the built-up areas of various cities, while the high–low spatial mismatch was mostly found in forest and grassland areas; (3) the comprehensive urbanization level of the ZZMA was spatially negatively correlated with the ratio of ES supply and demand. Regions with lower ES balance were more susceptible to disturbances caused by urbanization; (4) population density was the key factor influencing the supply and demand of carbon sequestration, oxygen release, water conservation, and food provision services, while the proportions of forest land and construction areas had the greatest influence on the supply and demand of air purification and leisure services. It is important to ensure the ecological status of the northwestern, southwestern, and central mountainous and forested areas; maintain the agricultural status of the main grain-producing areas in the eastern plains; strengthen ecological restoration and green infrastructure in built-up areas; and formulate differentiated management policies to promote the sustainable supply of ES and safeguard the ecological security of the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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23 pages, 7420 KiB  
Article
Quantifying and Mapping the Cooling Effect and Equity of Urban Parks during Extreme Heat Events in Coastal Cities
by Wenru Li, Tianji Wu, Le Xuan, Keke Zhu, Lemin Yu, Yong Wang, Xuhui Wang and Kanhua Yu
Land 2024, 13(10), 1607; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101607 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 711
Abstract
Urban parks are vital for mitigating high urban temperatures, yet optimizing their design for maximum cooling benefits remains a challenge. This study investigates the cooling mechanisms of 65 parks in Tianjin, assessing their characteristics and spatial equity regarding cooling capacity. Results show that [...] Read more.
Urban parks are vital for mitigating high urban temperatures, yet optimizing their design for maximum cooling benefits remains a challenge. This study investigates the cooling mechanisms of 65 parks in Tianjin, assessing their characteristics and spatial equity regarding cooling capacity. Results show that 63 parks significantly lower temperatures, with an average Park Cooling Area (PCA) of 45.0 hectares, Park Cooling Efficiency (PCE) of 8.09, Park Cooling Gradient (PCG) of 16.4 °C/km, and Park Cooling Intensity (PCI) of 2.64 °C. Key factors influencing cooling effectiveness include park albedo and nearby water bodies, with optimal albedo values between 3 and 3.6, and water bodies of at least 2.5 hectares enhancing efficiency. Notably, only 38.9% of residents can easily access park cooling services. While neighborhood parks in dense urban areas provide high economic benefits, they serve fewer residents; comprehensive parks cover more people but are less accessible. This study offers new insights into the cooling effects of coastal urban parks, aiding planners in addressing marginalized residents’ needs and enhancing urban resilience amid climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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25 pages, 9415 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Seasonal Variation and the Driving Mechanism of the Thermal Effects of Urban Park Green Spaces in Zhengzhou, China
by Yuan Feng, Kaihua Zhang, Ang Li, Yangyang Zhang, Kun Wang, Nan Guo, Ho Yi Wan, Xiaoyang Tan, Nalin Dong, Xin Xu, Ruizhen He, Bing Wang, Long Fan, Shidong Ge and Peihao Song
Land 2024, 13(9), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091474 - 11 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Greenscaping, a key sustainable practice, helps cities combat rising temperatures and climate change. Urban parks, a pivotal greenscaping element, mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. In this study, we utilized high-resolution remote sensing imagery (GF-2 and Landsat 8, 9) and in situ [...] Read more.
Greenscaping, a key sustainable practice, helps cities combat rising temperatures and climate change. Urban parks, a pivotal greenscaping element, mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. In this study, we utilized high-resolution remote sensing imagery (GF-2 and Landsat 8, 9) and in situ measurements to analyze the seasonal thermal regulation of different park types in Zhengzhou, China. We calculated vegetation characteristic indices (VCIs) and landscape patterns (LMs) and employed boosted regression tree models to explore their relative contributions to land surface temperature (LST) across different seasons. Our findings revealed that urban parks lowered temperatures by 0.65 °C, 1.41 °C, and 2.84 °C in spring, summer, and autumn, respectively, but raised them by 1.92 °C in winter. Amusement parks, comprehensive parks, large parks, and water-themed parks had significantly lower LSTs. The VCI significantly influenced LST in autumn, with trees having a stronger cooling effect than shrubs. LMs showed a more prominent effect than VCIs on LST during spring, summer, and winter. Parks with longer perimeters, larger and more dispersed green patches, higher plant species richness, higher vegetation heights, and larger canopies were associated with more efficient thermal reduction in an urban setting. The novelty of this study lies in its detailed analysis of the seasonal thermal regulation effects of different types of urban parks, providing new insights for more effective urban greenspace planning and management. Our findings assist urban managers in mitigating the urban surface heat effect through more effective urban greenspace planning, vegetation community design, and maintenance, thereby enhancing cities’ potential resilience to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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24 pages, 49494 KiB  
Article
Meta-Connectivity in Urban Morphology: A Deep Generative Approach for Integrating Human–Wildlife Landscape Connectivity in Urban Design
by Sheng-Yang Huang, Yuankai Wang, Enriqueta Llabres-Valls, Mochen Jiang and Fei Chen
Land 2024, 13(9), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091397 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 581
Abstract
Traditional urban design often overlooks the synchronisation of human and ecological connectivities, typically favouring corridors for ecological continuity. Our study challenges this convention by introducing a computational design approach, meta-connectivity, leveraging the deep generative models performing cross-domain translation to integrate human–wildlife landscape connectivity [...] Read more.
Traditional urban design often overlooks the synchronisation of human and ecological connectivities, typically favouring corridors for ecological continuity. Our study challenges this convention by introducing a computational design approach, meta-connectivity, leveraging the deep generative models performing cross-domain translation to integrate human–wildlife landscape connectivity in urban morphology amidst the planetary urbanisation. Utilising chained Pix2Pix models, our research illustrates a novel meta-connectivity design reasoning framework, combining landscape connectivity modelling with conditional reasoning based on deep generative models. This framework enables the adjustment of both human and wildlife landscape connectivities based on their correlative patterns in one single design process, guiding the rematerialisation of urban landscapes without the need for explicit prior ecological or urban data. Our empirical study in East London demonstrated the framework’s efficacy in suggesting wildlife connectivity adjustments based on human connectivity metrics. The results demonstrate the feasibility of creating an innovative urban form in which the land cover guided by the connectivity gradients replaces the corridors based on simple geometries. This research thus presents a methodology shift in urban design, proposing a symbiotic approach to integrating disparate yet interrelated landscape connectivities within urban contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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19 pages, 9980 KiB  
Article
Key Factors Affecting Carbon-Saving Intensity and Efficiency Based on the Structure of Green Space
by Guohao Zhang, Chenyu Du and Shidong Ge
Land 2024, 13(8), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081297 - 16 Aug 2024
Viewed by 667
Abstract
Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a critical role in regulating global carbon cycling and mitigating the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Research increasingly demonstrates that UGSs not only sequester carbon through photosynthesis but also effectively save carbon emissions by mitigating the urban [...] Read more.
Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a critical role in regulating global carbon cycling and mitigating the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Research increasingly demonstrates that UGSs not only sequester carbon through photosynthesis but also effectively save carbon emissions by mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, understanding the carbon-saving capacity (CSC) and the role of landscape patterns of UGSs in warming cities remains limited. Therefore, we have evaluated the carbon-saving capacity of UGSs in the main urban area of Shangqiu City by utilizing high-resolution remote sensing data and machine learning techniques. The study has focused on green patches larger than 10,000 m2 and has analyzed the influence of landscape patterns of UGSs on carbon saving intensity (CSI) and carbon saving efficiency (CSE). The results reveal that the total CSI and the average CSE of UGSs are 7716 t CO2 and 2.9 t CO2 ha−1 in Shangqiu, respectively. Landscape patterns of UGSs can explain 82% and 64% of the variability in CSI and CSE variance, respectively. Specifically, green space area is the critical determinant of CSI and CSE, followed by the perimeter–area ratio, shape index, and fractal dimension of UGSs. Therefore, this study advocates for the strategic integration of UGSs into city planning, emphasizing their spatial distribution and configuration to maximize their cooling and carbon-saving capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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20 pages, 2082 KiB  
Article
Effects of Design Factors and Multi-Stage Environmental Factors on Hydrological Performance of Subtropical Green Roofs
by Zhongtang Liao, Jialin Liu and Yufei Li
Land 2024, 13(8), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081129 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 520
Abstract
Environmental and design factors determine the stormwater management capacity of green roofs; however, the design and environmental factors that impact their hydrological performance in subtropical humid regions are poorly understood. In particular, meteorological factors have received little attention. Meteorological factors vary greatly at [...] Read more.
Environmental and design factors determine the stormwater management capacity of green roofs; however, the design and environmental factors that impact their hydrological performance in subtropical humid regions are poorly understood. In particular, meteorological factors have received little attention. Meteorological factors vary greatly at different stages of a rainfall event (e.g., during the rainfall and outflow). Therefore, the impact of meteorological factors at different stages on hydrological performance should be considered separately to obtain a more accurate picture of their effects on hydrological performance. In this study, experimental green roofs were established based on four substrate types and two depths. For the first time, this study systematically explored the effects of design factors for the substrate (type and depth) and multi-stage environmental factors on the hydrological performance of green roofs. Environmental factors, including meteorological factors, from three critical stages (before and during a rainfall event and during the outflow), and rainfall characteristics (e.g., rainfall depth and rainfall duration) were incorporated to determine the variation in hydrological performance. The effects of multi-stage environmental factors on retention and peak reduction were analyzed, with a ranking of each factor’s relative importance. Environmental factors played a leading role in determining hydrological performance. However, the impact of multi-stage environmental factors was not as important as that of rainfall depth and antecedent volumetric water content. Differences in hydrological performance were compared across combinations of design factors. No significant differences were observed across substrate types and depths. However, potential interactive effects might exist, though these were not significant compared to environmental factors (e.g., rainfall depth and rainfall duration). These results confirmed that the meteorological factors in the different event-related stages significantly impacted the hydrological performance. Quantifying the effects of design and environmental factors is critical for hydrological performance evaluation. The results provided a broader perspective on understanding influence mechanisms of hydrological performance and highlighted the impact of microclimates on hydrological performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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18 pages, 7729 KiB  
Article
Urban Fire Risk Dynamics and Mitigation Strategies in Shanghai: Integrating Spatial Analysis and Game Theory
by Manqing Yao, Deshun Zhang, Yingying Chen, Yujia Liu and Mohamed Elsadek
Land 2024, 13(8), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081125 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 783
Abstract
In recent decades, the increasing frequency of urban fires, driven by urban functional enhancements and climate change, has posed a growing threat to metropolitan sustainability. This study investigates the temporal and spatial characteristics of fire incidents in Shanghai from 2019 to 2023. Using [...] Read more.
In recent decades, the increasing frequency of urban fires, driven by urban functional enhancements and climate change, has posed a growing threat to metropolitan sustainability. This study investigates the temporal and spatial characteristics of fire incidents in Shanghai from 2019 to 2023. Using satellite fire point data and official government records, kernel density analysis and wavelet analysis were employed to analyze the time series and spatial distribution of fire data. Subsequently, eleven primary factors influencing urban fire occurrence were identified, encompassing probability, regional characteristics, and hazard sources. A combined methodology of subjective and objective weights with game theory was used to generate a fire risk assessment at a 1 × 1 km2 grid scale. Furthermore, the spatial distribution characteristics of the assessments were analyzed. The results reveal that the downtown area exhibits the highest intensity of urban fires in terms of spatial domain, with a decreasing intensity towards the suburbs. Temporally, fire frequency demonstrates significant periodicity at an 18a time scale, while clear seasonal fluctuations and periodicity are observed at a 16-22a time scale, with higher occurrences in spring and winter. The study identifies typical aggregation patterns of urban fires, with high-risk centers in downtown Shanghai. Considering the impact of climate change and human activities, high-risk areas may gradually expand to adjacent urban suburbs, presenting a concerning future scenario. By examining the dual attributes of “combustibles and fireproof space” within urban greening systems, this research offers recommendations for the future strategies of disaster prevention and mitigation of green systems in Shanghai. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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16 pages, 5596 KiB  
Article
How to Plan Urban Parks and the Surrounding Buildings to Maximize the Cooling Effect: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
by Tianji Wu, Xuhui Wang, Le Xuan, Zhaoyang Yan, Chao Wang, Chunlei Du, Yutong Su, Jingya Duan and Kanhua Yu
Land 2024, 13(8), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081117 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 846
Abstract
Urban areas with parks tend to have the best outdoor thermal comfort in regions with high urban heat island effects during summer. This study analyzed the synergistic cooling effects of 94 urban parks and the adjacent built-up areas in six districts of Xi’an [...] Read more.
Urban areas with parks tend to have the best outdoor thermal comfort in regions with high urban heat island effects during summer. This study analyzed the synergistic cooling effects of 94 urban parks and the adjacent built-up areas in six districts of Xi’an City using four cooling indicators: park cooling intensity (PCI), park cooling area (PCA), park cooling effect (PCE), and park cooling gradient (PCG). The results showed that 84 out of 94 parks exhibited significant cooling effects, with an average PCI of 1.98 °C, PCA of 51.7 ha, PCE of 6.6, and PCG of 8.2 °C/km. Correlation analyses indicated that the intrinsic park attributes, external buffer zone building height, and building density were the main factors affecting the cooling effect. The park landscape configuration, building height, and density significantly influenced the PCI and PCG, while the park shape and size were crucial for the PCA (positive) and PCE (negative). The optimal park areas for improving the thermal environment were identified as 26 ha (cooling area focus, building density <13%) and 15 ha (cooling intensity focus, building height <21 m, density >32%). This study provides theoretical guidance for planning urban parks and the surrounding areas based on cooling effects, offering insights for future climate resilience planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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30 pages, 10387 KiB  
Article
Calculation of the Optimal Scale of Urban Green Space for Alleviating Surface Urban Heat Islands: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
by Jianxin Zhang, Jingyuan Zhao, Bo Pang and Sisi Liu
Land 2024, 13(7), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071043 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 793
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that urban green spaces play a crucial role in mitigating the severe urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, existing studies often suffer from limitations such as the neglect of the cooling effect of water bodies within the green spaces and [...] Read more.
Research has demonstrated that urban green spaces play a crucial role in mitigating the severe urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, existing studies often suffer from limitations such as the neglect of the cooling effect of water bodies within the green spaces and incomplete considerations of the overall cooling effect. These limitations may lead to inaccuracies in the research findings. Therefore, the present study takes the city of Xi’an as a case study to explore the optimal green space size for achieving efficient cooling. The results indicate that (i) urban green spaces exhibit robust cooling effects, with variations observed among the various types; (ii) for community parks without water, and for street gardens, the optimal areas of these green spaces are 3.44 and 0.83 hectares, respectively; (iii) for community parks with water, the area of internal water bodies should ideally be maintained at around 29.43% of the total green space area in order to achieve an optimal cooling efficiency. In conclusion, this study introduces a new perspective and new optimization methods for urban green space planning, thereby offering scientific guidance to urban planners in formulating effective development and management policies and urban planning schemes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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