Abstract
Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides multiple functions that combine ecological and social benefits. UGI is being increasingly promoted and implemented in the Global North. In other parts of the world, such as in the Global South, infrastructures for UGI implementation and promotion are sparse. The state of infrastructure development and informal settlements in the Global South present different constraints and demands that should be explicitly addressed. This study presents an approach to addressing the specific conditions and physical limitations of UGI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four-step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. This methodology consists of (1) an initial site analysis, (2) defining design criteria and general strategies, (3) exploring the different dimensions of multifunctionality as the basis for deriving spatial typologies, and (4) assessing spatial suitability for potential placements for UGI elements. The methodology was applied to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica. The results indicate the potential to improve the hydrological (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological (an increase of green space by 2.2%, creation of 1500 m length of roadside greenery and two new habitat types), and social conditions (2200 m of road type upgrading) of the site through UGIs. This assessment of different multifunctionality dimensions can serve as a guide for future UGI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.
Highlights
This study addresses the lack of research on planning multi-functional Urban green infrastructure (UGI) and practical guidelines by proposing a methodology that provides guidance for the placement, dimensioning, and spatial distribution of multifunctional UGI elements in an urban setting of the Global South
Such small interconnected elements can counteract the risk of over-loading individual UGI elements in contrast to stand-alone UGIs [39], and this is the only means for meeting multiple design criteria [36]
The results indicate that a change in approach from the classic standard design can have a major impact on the ecological value of a UGI element
Summary
In Europe, for instance, with NATURVATION (NATure-based URban innovation), the European Commission is funding a four-year project (2017–2020) involving 14 institutions across Europe to investigate the potential of NbS for responding to urban sustainability challenges [2,3]. In urban contexts within the USA, NbS are promoted as green infrastructure country-wide through a special program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Based on the Clean Water Act [4]. Several policies and technical guidelines for promoting and implementing green infrastructures (GI) have been produced for the USA. Similar guidelines have been established in Australia through water-sensitive urban design (WSUD). The federal, state, and territory governments of Australia agreed upon the National Water Initiative (NWI) in 2004 and 2006 to “Create Water-Sensitive Australian
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