Abstract
This study explores the use of ecosystem service (ES) knowledge to support urban planning in the assessment of future scenarios. The case study concerns the prioritszation of brownfield regeneration interventions in the city of Trento (Italy). Alternative planning scenarios considering the conversion of existing brownfields into new urban parks are assessed and compared. The assessment focuses on two ES of critical importance for the city, namely microclimate regulation and nature-based recreation. The benefits of the different scenarios are quantified based on the number of expected beneficiaries broken down into different vulnerability classes and then compared through a multi-criteria analysis. Three combinations of criteria and weights reflect different planning objectives and related decision-makers’ orientations about what ES and beneficiary groups should be prioritised. The application demonstrates the potential for ES assessments to support urban planning processes in the specific phase of assessment and selection of alternatives, by meeting the requirements in terms of both sensitivity to small-scale changes in land uses or management activities and capacity to capture simultaneous variations in supply and demand of multiple ES. Being coherent with socially-orientated planning objectives, indicators based on ES demand and beneficiaries can effectively convey information about ES in planning decisions. Multi-criteria analysis is an effective way to integrate multiple ES assessments with other information about costs and benefits of planning scenarios, exploring diverse stakeholder perspectives and balancing competing objectives in a rational and transparent way.
Highlights
The mapping and assessment of ecosystem services (ES) can support policy- and decision-making at different levels, from raising stakeholders' awareness to shaping specific decisions (Posner et al 2016)
Most of the brownfields appear to be strategically located in areas that scarcely benefit from the cooling effect of both urban green infrastructure and the surrounding natural and semi-natural areas
The case study explored the use of ES assessments to support urban planning in the specific phase of the planning process where decisions amongst alternative scenarios are to be made
Summary
The mapping and assessment of ecosystem services (ES) can support policy- and decision-making at different levels, from raising stakeholders' awareness to shaping specific decisions (Posner et al 2016). The inclusion of ES knowledge in spatial planning processes can produce direct outcomes, for example, by inspiring the definition of standards and policy targets or by setting the basis for the design of implementation tools, including regulations, incentives and compensation schemes (Barton et al 2018, Cortinovis and Geneletti 2018) These possible applications clearly show the potential benefits of integrating ES assessments into spatial planning processes and decisions, including urban planning and related environmental assessments (e.g. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessmement) (Geneletti 2011, McKenzie et al 2014, Rall et al 2015)
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