Urban Economic Indicators for Green Development in Cities

Abstract

This paper is part of the European Union project on the Development of Urban Green Spaces to Improve the Quality of Life in Cities and Urban Regions (URGE). † The paper aims to describe urban economic indicators for the evaluation of existing urban green structures and green spaces by using a taxonomy of indicators and to develop an economic framework for the development and management of green spaces in cities. A functional typology of urban green spaces based on a set of indicators of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is described as pressure–state–response (PSR) indicators, is used for the determination of the relevant economic dimensions, criteria and indicators of urban green space. From an economic perspective, there are four relevant dimensions of urban green spaces that refer to the functions that have an impact (directly or indirectly) on environmental sources, welfare and quality of urban life, financing and management of urban green. This economic framework provides an opportunity to discuss the complex relationships of the multi-dimensional structure of urban green spaces. It provides also a useful framework for the social, ecological and planning perspectives, policies and management issues. ● Urban green