Sustainability as a Function of an Area: Application of Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Assessing the Effectiveness of Nature-Based Solutions

Ewa Podhajska,Anetta Drzeniecka-Osiadacz,Magdalena Zienowicz,Bronisław Podhajski,Agnieszka Jasińska,Ewa Burszta-Adamiak,Tymoteusz Sawiński

doi:10.3390/atmos12111464

Abstract

One of the essential factors influencing the overall urban experience is the presence of biologically active surfaces. Despite widespread awareness of the beneficial effects of such spaces, the natural tissue in cities is still being significantly limited by the priority given to functionality and the economy. The aim of this article is to assess the potential of using a hybrid infrastructure in the grey–green–blue system (GGB) on a public site. In order to assess the efficiency of the implemented solutions, a multi-criteria method was developed, thereby recognising this research aspect as necessary in the process of designing urban built-up spaces. The assessment compared indicators of biological activity in the area using the biotope area factor and green space factor scales. The rainwater retention potential was estimated using a quantitative method. The change in the site’s thermal conditions was analysed by conducting numerous experiments with the use of micrometeorogical computational fluid dynamics models ENVI-met. The demonstrated improvement in the proportion of the biologically active area, water retention, and thermal conditions, ranging from a few to a dozen percent compared to the initial state, confirms the legitimacy of using grey–green–blue infrastructure systems as a method of shaping a sustainable and climate-responsive urban design.

Highlights

The observed trend of expansion in the urban population has caused the continued growth and development of urban areas, changing the morphology of cities and their physical features
The analysis indicates a great variation in the radiant heat load at the pedestrian level (1.5 m) within short distances, which varies from 34 ◦C to above 61 ◦C for the baseline scenario and from 30 ◦C up to 60 ◦C for the grey–green–blue infrastructure (GGB) one
The synergistic application of the grey–green–blue infrastructure systems will allow for the attainment of many benefits

Summary

Introduction

The observed trend of expansion in the urban population has caused the continued growth and development of urban areas, changing the morphology of cities and their physical features. One of the solutions for increasing the sustainability level of the compact urban development is the implementation of a hybrid grey–green–blue infrastructure (GGB) [11,12] This type of integrated system allows us to use both the ability of engineering technology and the potential of biological processes to keep the expected functionality of urban spaces without degrading their biological value [13]. The fusion of nature and engineering technologies increases the efficiency of processes, shaping their long-term and stable course, all the while developing the phenomenon of urban resilience in terms of complex socio-ecological systems In this perspective, the GGB systems are recognised tools in the mitigation and adaptation strategies of cities, allowing them to shape their more sustainable form [16]

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