Green Infrastructure Mapping for Adaptation, Biodiversity, and Health and Wellbeing: A Tool Development Case Study in Edinburgh

Abstract

AbstractRecognition of the value of green and blue infrastructure in cities, or urban green infrastructure (UGI), has grown alongside our expanding understanding of climate change adaptation, biodiversity, and the importance of such spaces to human health and wellbeing. Tools have been developed to assist in planning for adaptation, in some cases with digital components. These tools improve understandings of green and blue spaces, integrate the consideration of climate risks into the planning processes, and lead towards enhanced green and blue infrastructure by addressing risks through nature-based solutions (NBS). This chapter explains the value of UGI for climate change adaptation and biodiversity. It reviews a selection of existing methodologies that seek to answer the question of how to integrate green infrastructure into urban planning. A case study of GI mapping app development using a GI Factor methodology at the University of Edinburgh provides insight into tool development, method, first use, and revision via citizen science volunteering. The analysis provided serves to inform decisions on the use of green space factor methods when adapting urban contexts; this can address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.KeywordsBiodiversityClimate changeGreen space factorsNature-based solutionsUGI