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18 pages, 27926 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microclimatic and Environmental Improvement in a Mediterranean City through the Regeneration of an Area with Nature-Based Solutions: A Case Study

by Katia Perini, Chiara Calise, Paola Castellari and Enrica Roccotiello

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5847; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105847 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2410

Abstract

Dense urban areas are facing relevant issues related to their high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and ecosystem health. The study presents a case study of a regeneration project with Nature-based Solutions in the city of Genoa (Italy) and, more specifically, [...] Read more.

Dense urban areas are facing relevant issues related to their high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and ecosystem health. The study presents a case study of a regeneration project with Nature-based Solutions in the city of Genoa (Italy) and, more specifically, in a neighbourhood characterised by relevant health and well-being issues. The performances of three design scenarios for a city hotspot, including plant species selected with a systemic approach and light pavements, are analysed in terms of improved microclimate by means of the ENVI-met software V4.4.5. The results show different benefits on the microclimate compared to the current state depending on the different scenarios: A UTCI decrease from 4.1 °C to 5.4 °C, a reduction of mean radiant temperature from 12.3 °C to 17.3 °C, a relative humidity increase from 3.8% to 5.6%, and a progressive decrease in wind speed are detected in a directly proportional way to the gradual increase in greenery inside the scenarios. In reverse, better results for air temperatures are detected for the scenario with less greening (Δt = 1.8 °C). The study relies on the re-parametrisation of plant species characteristics in the ENVI-met database to reach a high level of accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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25 pages, 5844 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Development of an Integrated Design Strategy for Blue-Green Architecture

by Friederike Well and Ferdinand Ludwig

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7944; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147944 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5194

Abstract

Blue-green architecture entails buildings that contribute to improving the urban climate through the synergetic combination of water management and vegetation. They are part of an urban blue-green infrastructure network that combines ecosystem services in a multifunctional way. Projects implemented in an interdisciplinary manner [...] Read more.

Blue-green architecture entails buildings that contribute to improving the urban climate through the synergetic combination of water management and vegetation. They are part of an urban blue-green infrastructure network that combines ecosystem services in a multifunctional way. Projects implemented in an interdisciplinary manner create synergies with regard to the combination of water-related and vegetation-related objectives. However, applicable design strategies for this approach are currently lacking in practice. This paper investigates the approach of a blue-green architectural project in Stuttgart (the so called “Impulse Project”) and derives insights for an integrated design strategy. The analysis and transfer of the research is carried out by using the research by design methodology. For this purpose, the interdisciplinary design process is divided into three phases (pre-design, design, post-design) and described in detail. Reflection on the documented design reveals the knowledge gained and enables the transfer of the findings to future projects by means of the integrated design strategy for blue-green architecture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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22 pages, 9674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COLreg: The Tokenised Cross-Species Multicentred Regenerative Region Co-Creation

by Marie Davidová and Kateřina Zímová

Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6638; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126638 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3006

Abstract

This article argues that whilst our recent economic models are dependent on the overall ecosystem, they do not reflect this fact. As a result of this, we are facing Anthropocene mass extinction. The paper presents a collaborative regenerative region (COLreg) co-creation and tokenisation, [...] Read more.

This article argues that whilst our recent economic models are dependent on the overall ecosystem, they do not reflect this fact. As a result of this, we are facing Anthropocene mass extinction. The paper presents a collaborative regenerative region (COLreg) co-creation and tokenisation, involving multiple human and non-human, living and non-living stakeholders. It unfolds different stages of multicentred, systemic co-design via collaborative gigamapping. In the first steps, certain stakeholders are present and certain are represented, whilst in the final stages of generative development, all stakeholders, even those who were previously just potential stakeholders, take an active role. The ‘COLreg’ project represents a holistic approach that reflects today’s most burning issues, such as biodiversity decrease, unsustainable food production, unsustainable economic models, and social systems. It combines top-down and bottom-up approaches to co-create to achieve regional social and environmental justice for the coming symbiotic post-Anthropocene era. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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20 pages, 7731 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Climate-Responsive Green-Space Design Inspired by Traditional Gardens: Microclimate and Human Thermal Comfort of Japanese Gardens

by Lihua Cui, Christoph D. D. Rupprecht and Shozo Shibata

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2736; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052736 - 3 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4462

Abstract

Urban green spaces can provide relaxation, exercise, social interaction, and many other benefits for their communities, towns, and cities. However, green spaces in hot and humid regions risk being underutilized by residents unless thermal environments are designed to be sufficiently comfortable. Understanding what [...] Read more.

Urban green spaces can provide relaxation, exercise, social interaction, and many other benefits for their communities, towns, and cities. However, green spaces in hot and humid regions risk being underutilized by residents unless thermal environments are designed to be sufficiently comfortable. Understanding what conditions are needed for comfortable outdoor spaces, particularly how people feel in regard to their thermal environment, is vital in designing spaces for public use. Traditional gardens are excellent examples of successful microclimate design from which we can learn, as they are developed over the generations through observation and modification. This study analyzed how Japanese gardens affect people’s thermal stress on extremely hot summer days. Meteorological data was collected in three Japanese gardens, and human thermal comfort was evaluated through physiological equivalent temperature (PET). Statistical analysis examined the relationship between spatial configurations of the gardens and thermal comfort. Our study revealed that Japanese gardens can efficiently ameliorate thermal stress. Spatial analysis showed that garden elements affect thermal comfort variously depending on time of the day and spatial distribution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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19 pages, 4089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Accessibility Analysis of Parks with Multiple Entrances Based on Real-Time Travel: The Case Study in Beijing

by Jiahui Qin, Yusi Liu, Disheng Yi, Shuo Sun and Jing Zhang

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7618; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187618 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3427

Abstract

Parks are an important component of the green infrastructure in cities. They provide multiple benefits for residents’ life. Due to the uneven spatial distribution of parks, it is necessary to evaluate the spatial disparity about residents’ access to parks. The two-step floating catchment [...] Read more.

Parks are an important component of the green infrastructure in cities. They provide multiple benefits for residents’ life. Due to the uneven spatial distribution of parks, it is necessary to evaluate the spatial disparity about residents’ access to parks. The two-step floating catchment area method is suitable for measuring the accessibility of urban parks. However, few studies have noticed the representative of entrances of parks, especially adding them into the process of accessibility measurements. The floating catchment area is often determined by road speed and empirical travel time. In this article, the impact of multi-entrances of the park will be considered and real-time travel time is used in calculating accessibility. In a case of multi-entrance parks in Beijing, the average travel time of the sub-district is calculated, and with the support of the modified method, the spatial accessibilities of car driving, public transport and car-public transport mixed travel modes are obtained. The results show that the time–space compression effect of car driving is more obvious and the mixed travel mode presents the advantage of high accessibility index. This study has a theoretical and practical value for urban planning, such as advising urban planners on the siting of green park space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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15 pages, 2250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Residents’ Willingness to Participate in Green Infrastructure: Spatial Differences and Influence Factors in Shanghai, China

by Yang Yu, Hui Xu, Xiaohan Wang, Jiahong Wen, Shiqiang Du, Min Zhang and Qian Ke

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5396; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195396 - 29 Sep 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4743

Abstract

Green infrastructure (GI) plays a fundamental role in achieving urban pluvial flood management, mitigating urban heat island effect, and improving living suitability. Residents’ participation is the main driving force of GI implementation. Based on semi-structured interviews, GIS spatial analysis, and multiple regression, we [...] Read more.

Green infrastructure (GI) plays a fundamental role in achieving urban pluvial flood management, mitigating urban heat island effect, and improving living suitability. Residents’ participation is the main driving force of GI implementation. Based on semi-structured interviews, GIS spatial analysis, and multiple regression, we investigated residents’ willingness to participate in the implementation of GI in public and private space and identified the influence factors in Shanghai, China. The results show that, compared with private space, residents prefer to implement GI in public space, where they have different preferences of GI measures. On urban scale, residents’ willingness to participate in the implementation of GI in private space is characterized as “high in the inner city, low in the suburban areas”, while the spatial difference is insignificant for public space. In addition, the factors affecting residents’ willingness to participate in the implementation of GI are different in private and public space. The deterministic factors of GI participation are gender, education level, and floor for private space, while only include building age for public space, in addition to the common factors of free time, cognition of GI, perception of pluvial flood risk, supportive factors, and environment-improving factors that can influence both private and public space GI participation. Our analysis therefore provides valuable information for policymakers concerning nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation and urban sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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15 pages, 2156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Drought on the Phenology, Growth, and Morphological Development of Three Urban Tree Species and Cultivars

by Laura Myrtiá Faní Stratópoulos, Chi Zhang, Karl-Heinz Häberle, Stephan Pauleit, Swantje Duthweiler, Hans Pretzsch and Thomas Rötzer

Sustainability 2019, 11(18), 5117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11185117 - 18 Sep 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4828

Abstract

Under changing climatic conditions, drought may become a critical constraint for trees in urban areas, particularly at roadsides and highly paved squares. As healthy urban trees have proven to be an important mitigation and adaptation tool for climate change as well as a [...] Read more.

Under changing climatic conditions, drought may become a critical constraint for trees in urban areas, particularly at roadsides and highly paved squares. As healthy urban trees have proven to be an important mitigation and adaptation tool for climate change as well as a significant provider of ecosystem services, there is a need for planting species and cultivars capable of coping with the limited water supply. However, data on species’ and cultivars’ response to drought, particularly their water supplying root systems remains rare. To consider the whole plant responses to drought situations, we studied the growth and phenology of three frequently planted tree species and cultivars with a diameter of 5–6 cm during a one-year rainfall exclusion experiment conducted in a nursery field as well as the dry biomass of the compartments branch, stem, and root after excavation. Our results revealed that species’ and cultivars’ performance were linked to their within-plant carbon partitioning. A high tolerance to drought was noted for Acer campestre, with a particularly high ratio of root:shoot ratio, which made it presumably less susceptible to droughts. Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ was highly affected by the reduced water availability visible through prematurely leaf senescence, while Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ suffered from losing a considerable part of its root biomass, which resulted in the lowest root:shoot ratio of all species and cultivars. This study demonstrated the need for investigating the reaction patterns of species and cultivars by considering both the above-and the below-ground plant parts. We recommend that, for future tree plantings at harsh and challenging urban sites, an important selection criterion should be species’ and cultivars’ capability to develop and retain strong and dense root systems even under limited water supply, as that is believed to be an important trait for drought tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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Review

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15 pages, 5037 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Use of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers in Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure

by Matthew Bell, Damon Fick, Rob Ament and Nina-Marie Lister

Sustainability 2020, 12(4), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041557 - 19 Feb 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 7162

Abstract

The proven effectiveness of highway crossing infrastructure to mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions with large animals has made it a preferred method for increasing motorist and animal safety along road networks around the world. The crossing structures also provide safe passage for small- and medium-sized [...] Read more.

The proven effectiveness of highway crossing infrastructure to mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions with large animals has made it a preferred method for increasing motorist and animal safety along road networks around the world. The crossing structures also provide safe passage for small- and medium-sized wildlife. Current methods to build these structures use concrete and steel, which often result in high costs due to the long duration of construction and the heavy machinery required to assemble the materials. Recently, engineers and architects are finding new applications of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and low life-cycle costs. This material is better suited to withstand environmental elements and the static and dynamic loads required of wildlife infrastructure. Although carbon and glass fibers along with new synthetic resins are most commonly used, current research suggests an increasing incorporation and use of bio-based and recycled materials. Since FRP bridges are corrosion resistant and hold their structural properties over time, owners of the bridge can benefit by reducing costly and time-consuming maintenance over its lifetime. Adapting FRP bridges for use as wildlife crossing structures can contribute to the long-term goals of improving motorist and passenger safety, conserving wildlife and increasing cost efficiency, while at the same time reducing plastics in landfills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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