Blue-green Spaces Research Articles

Environmental justice in a very green city: Spatial inequality in exposure to urban nature, air pollution and heat in Oslo, Norway

Poorer citizens are often more exposed to environmental hazards due to spatial inequalities in the distribution of urban blue-green space. Few cities have managed to prevent spatial and social inequality despite sustainable development strategies like compact city planning. We explore whether environmental injustice exists in a city where one would least expect to find it: a city with abundant nature, an affluent population governed by a left leaning social democratic city council, and an aggressive densification strategy; Oslo, Norway. Green space was measured with a satellite-derived vegetation index which captures the combined availability of gardens, street trees, parks and forest. Blue space was defined by the proximity of residential areas to the closest lake, river or fjord. We found that poorer city districts, often with greater immigrant populations, have less available blue-green spaces and are disproportionately exposed to hazardous air pollution levels, but not extreme heat compared to wealthier city districts. Citizens living within 100 m of a water body are likely to earn US$ 20,000 more per year than citizens living 500 m away from water, and a US$ 3000 increase in annual income corresponds to a 10 % increase in green space availability. Hazardous air pollution concentrations in the poorest city districts were above levels recommended by the WHO and Oslo municipality. Historical trends showed that districts undergoing population densification coincide with the lowest availability of blue-green space, suggesting that environmental justice has been overlooked in compact city planning policy. Despite Oslo's affluence and egalitarian ideals, the patterns of inequality we observed mirror the city's historical east-west class divide and point to spatial concentration of wealth as a core factor to consider in studies of green segregation. Urban greening initiatives in Oslo and other cities should not take spatial equality for granted, and instead consider socio-economic geographies in their planning process.

Do seasons matter? Exploring the dynamic link between blue-green space and mental restoration

In the face of the increasing mental health crisis, there is a growing awareness of the benefits of natural environments, especially urban blue-green spaces in promoting mental health. However, most studies neglected the dynamics of blue-green space over the seasons and the dynamic effects on mental restoration. In addition, the access to nature can be quantified from multiple dimensions, but few studies have measured the specific characteristics (such as revetment type, distance from water, and width of field view) of blue-green space as visitors experienced. To fill these gaps, we conducted a field investigation in 18 selected blue-green spaces in winter and summer, examining the dynamic relationship between blue-green space and mental restoration. A total of 915 samples was collected through questionnaires. The results indicated that the impact of blue-green space on mental restoration varies with the seasons, for example, green space significantly promoted physical activity in summer, but not in winter, and blue space inhibited physical activity more significantly in summer. Moreover, the overall results suggested that blue space did not directly promote the improvement of visitors’ mental health, but improved social interaction, while green space had a direct positive influence on mental restoration. This study explored the dynamic link between blue-green space and mental restoration over different seasons, expanding the potential characteristics of blue-green space that affecting visitors’ mental restoration, and contributing to our knowledge of the health benefits of visiting blue-green spaces.

An alternative method of developing landscape strategies for urban cooling: A threshold-based perspective

Increasing the amount of blue-green spaces has been recognized as an effective strategy to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Specific quantitative and actionable landscape mitigation strategies for different land-use and land-cover (LULC) types to cool down cities, have been rarely addressed. In this paper, the absolute threshold of cooling (ToCabs) —the specific threshold of a certain influencing factor to ensure the effective cooling of a particular patch type, was proposed and defined for the first time to facilitate the research. The effects of size, shape and neighboring greenspace percentage (NGP) of different types of LULC patches on land surface temperature (LST) were examined and their corresponding ToCabs values were determined if existed, in the metropolitan areas of Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin using satellite images. Results demonstrate that larger-sized and complex-shaped water bodies and forested areas produce greater cooling effect. The size is irrelevant to the cooling intensity of grass-dominated patches. ToCabs of patch size exist and were identified for water bodies (Beijing, 5 ha; Shanghai, 10 ha; and Tianjin, 5 ha) and forested areas (Beijing, 20 ha; Shanghai, 50 ha; and Tianjin, 20 ha). Besides, NGP is negatively correlated with patch LST for all LULC types, indicating that increasing the amount of neighboring vegetation cover can effectively lower the nearby patch LST. ToCabs of NGP exist and were identified for water bodies (Beijing, 30.3%; Shanghai, 61.6%; and Tianjin, 20%) and grass-dominated areas (Beijing, 89.1%; Shanghai, 76.9%; and Tianjin, 81.5%). Among the three influencing factors, the size accounts for greatest variability in patch LST for forested areas and impervious surfaces, and neighboring greenspace proportion accounts for the most variability in LST for water bodies and grass-dominated areas. The methodology and results of this study could help to orientate specific and actionable landscape strategies of urban cooling.

Heatwaves in South Asia: Characterization, Consequences on Human Health, and Adaptation Strategies

South Asia, with more than one-fifth of the world’s population, is highly vulnerable to heatwaves and associated health consequences. The population experiences considerably higher residential vulnerability due to limited infrastructural capacities, economic resources, and health and environmental quality deficiencies. However, a limited number of studies are available from the region to account for the health effects of heatwaves. Therefore, this study has conducted a comprehensive review to characterize heatwaves across South Asian countries. The review explicitly identifies the population’s vulnerability to heatwaves during recent years and heatwave management policies in the region. The literature review suggests increased heat-related deaths in most South Asian countries, with few exceptions. In addition, the analysis of historical temperature records identified an upward trend in annual average temperature across the South Asian countries. The study highlights various heatwave definitions that have been used in the region to facilitate comparative evidence. The review of policies identified that only a few South Asian countries have functional heatwave management plans and majorly lack community and residential preparedness for heatwaves. Therefore, this study identifies potential community- and residential-based adaptation strategies to mitigate heat discomfort. As prospective solutions, the study recommends adaptation strategies such as blue–green spaces, indoor passive cooling, infrastructural adjustments, heat action plans, etc. However, such adaptation measures require a holistic amalgamation of different stakeholders to fabricate heatwave-resilient cities.

Meta-Analysis of the Relative Abundance of Nuisance and Vector Mosquitoes in Urban and Blue-Green Spaces.

Simple SummaryThe increase in global urbanization has highlighted the need for sustainable infrastructure and integration of the urban and natural environment. However, there is concern that an increase in urban blue-green space may create habitats for vector species and potentially increase the risk for transmission of mosquito-borne disease. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effect of urban blue-green spaces on mean mosquito abundance compared to traditional urban cities. We report that the abundance of Aedes aegypti is significantly higher in urban areas void of blue-green space. However, an analysis of three genera (Aedes, Culex, Anopheles), larval habitat guild, and specific taxa (Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens complex) did not suggest any preference for either habitat considered. Given the lack of available studies and data focusing on contrasting mosquito abundance in blue-green spaces, we recommend that future surveillance studies quantifying mosquito abundance in urban landscapes report the quantitative data necessary to conduct meta-analyses such as this one.Blue-green spaces (BGSs), urban areas characterized by the presence of vegetation and or water, and infrastructure form a potential solution for public health threats from increasing urbanization. We conducted a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that blue-green spaces increase the abundance of nuisance and vector mosquito species compared to non-greened urban areas. After screening 7306 studies published since 1992, we identified 18 studies containing sufficient data from both traditional urban areas and BGSs. We found no significant difference in mean abundance of all mosquito taxa in three genera (Aedes, Culex, Anopheles) when comparing blue-green spaces and non-greened urban spaces. Similarly, a separate analysis of each individual genera found no significant differences. An analysis of the taxa by larval habitat guilds found no differences for container-breeding mosquitoes. Flood-water species tended to be more abundant in blue-green spaces, but the differences were not significant. The individual taxa of Aedes albopictus and the Culex pipiens complex showed no differences between blue-green and urban spaces, while the abundance of Aedes aegypti was significantly higher in traditional urban spaces. Due to the variety existing between and among the several types of blue-green spaces, further studies comparing each unique type of blue-green space or infrastructure will be necessary to draw conclusions regarding the influence of each structure on for urban mosquito communities.

“Constructed Wetland Park as Happy Public Space to Achieve Quality of life: Case Study of 10 Ramadan City”

Happy public park (HPS) spaces can be defined as a place that gives us a positive perception that motivates us to spend time and live an unforgettable experience in our memory. As important as the urban blue-green spaces, constructed wetland parks (CWPs) have a spread of environmental and social benefits. Constructed wetlands now are used as an environmental contrivance in many countries. It achieves many benefits like increasing biodiversity, habitats, water treatment, and decreasing pollution. In the last decade, this technology was used in Egypt as a tool for water treatment-funded projects like Manzla lakes and small-scale projects. The research aim is to identify and define the relation between a happy public space (HPS) and a constructed wetland park (CWP) and evaluate the indicators which can create a constructed wetland park (CWP) as a happy public space (HPS), The simulated data collected from an experts’ point of view. The method is to link the indicators that affect the public space especially in a Case study on the 10th of Ramadan “constructed wetland park” to be happy public space and analyzing (WTP) and (HPS) indicators through interviews, workshops, and questionnaires as were statistical analysis of the linkages between the indicators to measure the effective indicators and removing ineffective indicators, to reach a guideline which can create a happy public space in constructed wetland park.

Which characteristics and integrations between characteristics in blue–green spaces influence the nature experience?

This study aims to investigate the impact of characteristics in blue–green spaces and integrations between characteristics on people’s preference for nature experience (perception of and interaction with nature). A total of 795 participants performed two sets of twelve choice tasks, each task presenting two photographs where eight characteristics were manipulated. Participants indicated which photograph was preferred for perception of and interaction with nature, respectively. Conjoint analysis was used to analyze the data. Water features were the most important characteristic, followed by bushes, upkeep, and trees. Integrating wildlife, peers, flowers, and paths with vegetation and water features can improve their attractiveness for nature experience. Upkeep should be prioritized in the single green space, but the integration between water features and bushes or trees in the blue–green space appeared to be most important. Through the design and integration of different characteristics, our research results contribute to the construction of nature experience environments in blue–green spaces.

Urban Fabrics to Eco-Friendly Blue–Green for Urban Wetland Development

In an urbanized world, the sustainability of cities will depend on their form and urban structure. In this sense, fabrics that are compact, dense, green, and suitable for non-motorized transport methods are more environmentally efficient. For the purpose of contributing new tools to the design, urban planning, and sustainability of nature in residential areas, this study characterizes the urban fabrics of six urban wetlands in the Latin American city of Concepción (Chile), which is known for its blue–green spaces. In a wetland city, we model urban patterns through spatial relationship using a statistical regression model (OLS—ordinary least squares) with the urban variables of density, distance, population, housing, highways, green areas, and building permits. Concepción shows predominantly low- to medium-density fabrics, and it is not integrated with the urban wetlands. In fact, it was observed that the residential areas do not take advantage of the blue–green spaces and that the urban fabrics do not favor proximity, with a transportation network that promotes the use of cars, leading to the wetlands being inaccessible and fragmented. However, as they are still surrounded by open spaces with abundant vegetation, there are highly feasible opportunities for the future development of blue–green infrastructure.

Developing an Approach for Assessing Urban Blue-Green Spaces Towards Sustainable Urban Growth Through Retrospective Cyber Metrics Analysis of Operational Estimations Approaches

Abstract Urban blue-green spaces provide us abundant social, environmental, and economic benefits, but the disparities often exist in their distribution and accessibility. Traditionally urban blue-green spaces are a consolidation of “blue-green infrastructure” within urban areas. Several urban features like parks, forests, gardens, visible water, such as parks, rivers, canals, reservoirs, ponds, lakes, fountains, etc. are categorized or considered under the blue-green spaces and these are very much crucial for various urban ecosystem services. These play a significant role for all stakeholders of the urban community. Thus, everyone must ensure the equitable number of blue-green spaces for all. Recently, several rules and regulations towards the safeguarding of urban blue-green spaces have been outlined. The work presents a methodological framework to develop an approach towards sustainable urban growth with the help of urban blue-green spaces assessments. The current work has attempted to examine the linkage between issues of the urban blue-green spaces for restoring the required infrastructures. It can be utilised for all sustainable urban development for urban planning and design projects to play a pivotal role. The work emphasizes more to develop a methodological framework to analyze the urban blue-green spaces for augmentation with a theoretical framework. It is expected that the advancement of a problem cum objectives-driven approach will help to design an impact-driven approach for planned and concrete action.

Mobility in Blue-Green Spaces Does Not Predict COVID-19 Transmission: A Global Analysis.

Mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic ostensibly prevented the public from transmitting the disease in public places, but they also hampered outdoor recreation, despite the importance of blue-green spaces (e.g., parks and natural areas) for physical and mental health. We assess whether restrictions on human movement, particularly in blue-green spaces, affected the transmission of COVID-19. Our assessment uses a spatially resolved dataset of COVID-19 case numbers for 848 administrative units across 153 countries during the first year of the pandemic (February 2020 to February 2021). We measure mobility in blue-green spaces with planetary-scale aggregate and anonymized mobility flows derived from mobile phone tracking data. We then use machine learning forecast models and linear mixed-effects models to explore predictors of COVID-19 growth rates. After controlling for a number of environmental factors, we find no evidence that increased visits to blue-green space increase COVID-19 transmission. By contrast, increases in the total mobility and relaxation of other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as containment and closure policies predict greater transmission. Ultraviolet radiation stands out as the strongest environmental mitigant of COVID-19 spread, while temperature, humidity, wind speed, and ambient air pollution have little to no effect. Taken together, our analyses produce little evidence to support public health policies that restrict citizens from outdoor mobility in blue-green spaces, which corroborates experimental studies showing low risk of outdoor COVID-19 transmission. However, we acknowledge and discuss some of the challenges of big data approaches to ecological regression analyses such as this, and outline promising directions and opportunities for future research.

Spatial distribution analysis of urban blue-green spaces for mitigating excessive heat with earth observation systems

With the introduction of the smart cities mission in India, there has been a massive demand for clean and sustainable development strategies. Also, sustainable smart cities advocate for the optimal utilisation of urban blue-green spaces, but it is one of the most challenging areas to achieve optimisation with sustainable development goals. But geospatial technology has attempted to provide the best responses for the development and management of clean & green sustainable smart cities. Sustainable smart cities development strategies require the management of resources like urban blue-green spaces covering urban parks, forest areas, gardens, visible water, rivers, canals, reservoirs, ponds, lakes, fountains. It is also required to be analysed at various spatio-temporal scenarios to provide optimal resolutions to social, environmental, and economic perspectives for sustainable urban development. This study utilises urban blue-green assessment and features analysis methods along with the geospatial methods. Results of the study illustrate the forte of geospatial techniques for further interpretation, assessment, and mapping of urban features to achieve sustainable urban development goals. This work is a precursor for other applications with further analysis before the final implementation. The presented analysis in this work has strengthened the existent techniques for the detailed study for clean and sustainable development of urban areas on various spatio-temporal scales.

Homebuyers’ heterogeneous preferences for urban green–blue spaces: A spatial multilevel autoregressive analysis

Integrated urban blue-green spaces (UBGS) represent a new global strategic initiative in the construction of ecologically multifunctional and socially inclusive cities. A common challenge is to integrate social preferences and values into UBGS planning and management. Using a 3-D spatial multilevel autoregressive model, this study attempts to differentiate and decompose the impacts of four UBGS attributes (including river water quality, detectable black-odorous problem, riparian greening, and provision of recreational facilities) on apartment prices in Guangzhou (China), so as to elicit homebuyers’ preferences and associate their preferences with higher hierarchical level (district) socioeconomic characteristics. Our modelling results reveal that homebuyers are insensitive to a relatively good water quality (Grade IV) of UBGS, but strongly dislike UBGS with black-odorous phenomenon. Both riparian greening and recreational facilities could command premiums, showing homebuyers’ significant preferences. At the aggregated level, district average income level plays a moderating role: homebuyers’ positive preferences (for riparian greening) and negative preference (for black-odorous river) become weakened when district income level increases. And district population density plays an enhancing role: homebuyers’ positive preferences (for riparian greening and recreational facilities) and negative preference (for black-odorous UBGS) become stronger when population density increases. These findings help optimizing UBGS design and establishing UBGS restoration priorities differently in divergent urban contexts, so as to improve environmental welfare and social equity.

Science & Technology Agenda for Blue-Green Spaces Inspired by Citizen Science: Case for Rejuvenation of Powai Lake

Urban lakes play a major role in the socio-cultural and ecological sustainability of many cities, but are often under major development and pollution pressures. Urban decision makers are faced with a challenging task of identifying the causes of their decline and building plans for their conservation or rejuvenation. Powai Lake is a perfect example of an urban water body with historic, cultural, and ecological importance to the population of Metropolitan Mumbai, with local and regional authorities, including the Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, working to identify methods for rejuvenating the Lake. In this context, characterization of pollution dynamics, hotspots, and extent is fundamental to the development of management plans and appropriate technologies for the remediation and rejuvenation of Powai Lake—the long-term goal of the present study. A two-year monitoring program at eight sampling locations on the Lake’s periphery, with the engagement of citizen scientists along with environmental researchers, revealed clear seasonal and spatial dynamics that allowed for the identification of pollution drivers and the development of a three-phase rejuvenation plan. The plan represents a novel and holistic approach that recognizes Powai Lake as a complex system with multiple drivers, and aims at ecological balance and sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.

Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping

Urban water bodies are an important asset in terms of climate change. The accompanying vegetation is an integral part of the waterside space system and a source of ecosystem services and disservices. The composition of greenery in waterside spaces should therefore be preceded by detailed research. This research would be the basis for the development of recommendations for enhancement of the positive impact of vegetation on humans and minimisation of its negative effect. The aim of the study was to identify ecosystem services and disservices of vegetation in the four most important waterside recreation spaces in the city of Rzeszów, Poland, and to develop plant composition guidelines. A detailed inventory of vegetation and aerobiological monitoring of the presence of airborne allergenic pollen grains and fungal spores were carried out. Next, the ecosystem services and disservices of the vegetation were determined based on literature data and on our expert judgement. Additionally, a counting of the number of visitors to waterside areas was conducted. All these steps were used to develop recommendations for shaping the vegetation of study areas. The results of the investigations show that the boulevards along the artificial lake function completely differently than other investigated places as the area resembles an urban park, and the water is not the main attraction in this space. The vegetation of the boulevards and the nearby gravel-pit bathing area has mostly a spontaneous character and offers the widest range of ecosystem services and disservices. The management of the vegetation should focus on its health-enhancing values. The vegetation growing near the outdoor swimming pools has been designed by man. Nevertheless, it requires recomposing and is targeted specifically at the enhancement of the visual attractiveness. Additionally, there is a need for planting compact deciduous trees that will provide shade at the multi-media fountain.

Using urban landscape pattern to understand and evaluate infectious disease risk

COVID-19 case numbers in 161 sub-districts of Wuhan were investigated based on landscape epidemiology, and their landscape metrics were calculated based on land use/land cover (LULC). Initially, a mediation model verified a partially mediated population role in the relationship between landscape pattern and infection number. Adjusted incidence rate (AIR) and community safety index (CSI), two indicators for infection risk in sub-districts, were 25.82∼63.56 ‱ and 3.00∼15.87 respectively, and central urban sub-districts were at higher infection risk. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) performed better than OLS regression with AICc differences of 7.951∼181.261. The adjusted R2 in GWR models of class-level index and infection risk were 0.697 to 0.817, while for the landscape-level index they were 0.668 to 0.835. Secondly, 16 key landscape metrics were identified based on GWR, and then a prediction model for infection risk in sub-districts and communities was developed. Using principal component analysis (PCA), development intensity, landscape level, and urban blue-green space were considered to be principal components affecting disease infection risk, explaining 73.1 % of the total variance. Cropland (PLAND and LSI), urban land (NP, LPI, and LSI) and unused land (NP) represent development intensity, greatly affecting infection risk in urban areas. Landscape level CONTAG, DIVISION, SHDI, and SHEI represent mobility and connectivity, having a profound impact on infection risk in both urban and suburban areas. Water (PLAND, NP, LPI, and LSI) and woodland (NP, and LSI) represent urban blue-green spaces, and were particularly important for infection risk in suburban areas.Based on urban landscape pattern, we proposed a framework to understand and evaluate infection risk. These findings provide a basis for risk evaluation and policy-making of urban infectious disease, which is significant for community management and urban planning for infectious disease worldwide.

Environmental and social benefits, and their coupling coordination in urban wetland parks

As important and typical urban blue-green spaces, urban wetland parks (UWPs) have a variety of environmental and social benefits. However, existing studies usually focus on a particular UWP benefit and factors affecting it, so there is no comprehensive evaluation method and framework for evaluating UWP benefits and guiding their development. Through field survey, geographic information system (GIS), text analysis and an AHP-entropy method, environmental and social benefits of 38 UWPs were determined in Wuhan, China. Eight geographically weighted regression (GWR) models and three coupling coordination models were constructed to explore park attributes and built environment factors that affect UWP benefits, and to evaluate UWP coupling coordination.GWR models explained UWP environmental (Adj. R2 = 0.493∼0.777) and social (Adj. R2 = 0.419∼0.709) benefits well. Environmental benefits were more affected by park attributes, while social benefits were more affected by the built environment. Most UWP coupling coordination was medium (with CCD from 0.55 to 0.75, and an average of 0.630), which is caused by insufficient environmental benefits or uncoordinated environmental and social benefits. We built a framework for diagnosis, analysis, and improvement that can quickly evaluate UWP benefits, put forward development suggestions to promote UWP coordinated development so that UWPs will bring more well-being to residents. In the future, UWP benefit evaluation frameworks can be further enriched by more potential benefits and and promoted to improve more extensive urban blue-green spaces.

A Review of Urban Ecosystem Services Research in Southeast Asia

Urban blue-green spaces hold immense potential for supporting the sustainability and liveability of cities through the provision of urban ecosystem services (UES). However, research on UES in the Global South has not been reviewed as systematically as in the Global North. In Southeast Asia, the nature and extent of the biases, imbalances and gaps in UES research are unclear. We address this issue by conducting a systematic review of UES research in Southeast Asia over the last twenty years. Our findings draw attention to the unequal distribution of UES research within the region, and highlight common services, scales and features studied, as well as methods undertaken in UES research. We found that while studies tend to assess regulating and cultural UES at a landscape scale, few studies examined interactions between services by assessing synergies and tradeoffs. Moreover, the bias in research towards megacities in the region may overlook less-developed nations, rural areas, and peri-urban regions and their unique perspectives and preferences towards UES management. We discuss the challenges and considerations for integrating and conducting research on UES in Southeast Asia based on its unique and diverse socio-cultural characteristics. We conclude our review by highlighting aspects of UES research that need more attention in order to support land use planning and decision-making in Southeast Asia.

Detecting the Cool Island Effect of Urban Parks in Wuhan: A City on Rivers.

As a nature-based solution, development of urban blue-green spaces is widely accepted for mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. It is of great significance to determine the main driving factors of the park cool island (PCI) effect for optimizing park layout and achieving a maximum cooling benefit of urban parks. However, there have been obviously controversial conclusions in previous studies due to varied case contexts. This study was conducted in Wuhan, a city with high water coverage, which has significant differences in context with the previous case cities. The PCI intensity and its correlation with park characteristics were investigated based on remote sensing data. The results indicated that 36 out of 40 urban parks expressed a PCI effect, with a PCI intensity of 0.08~7.29 °C. As expected, larger parks with enough width had stronger PCI intensity. An increased density of hardened elements in a park could significantly weaken PCI effect. Noticeably, in this study, water bodies in a park contributed the most to the PCI effect of urban parks, while the vegetated areas showed a negative impact on the PCI intensity. It implied that in a context with higher water coverage, the cooling effect of vegetation was weakened or even masked by water bodies, due to the interaction effect of different variables on PCI intensity.

Contact with blue-green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown beneficial for mental health

There is growing evidence that ecosystem services and especially the exposure to the natural world (blue-green spaces) have potential benefits for mental health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures adopted to control it provide a natural experiment to investigate the links between nature exposure and mental health under extreme conditions. Using a survey distributed online, we tested the following hypotheses: 1) People will show greater symptoms of depression and anxiety under lockdown conditions that did not allow contact with outdoor nature spaces; 2) Where access to public outdoor nature spaces was strictly restricted, (2a) those with green/blue nature view or (2b) access to private outdoor spaces such as a garden or balcony will show fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, and a more positive mood. Based on 5218 responses from 9 countries, we found that lockdown severity significantly affected mental health, while contact with nature helped people to cope with these impacts, especially for those under strict lockdown. People under strict lockdown in Spain (3403 responses), perceived that nature helped them to cope with lockdown measures; and emotions were more positive among individuals with accessible outdoor spaces and blue-green elements in their views. These findings can help decision-makers in developing potential future lockdown measures to mitigate the negative impacts, helping people to be more resilient and maintain better mental health, using the benefits that ecosystem services are providing us.

How can urban blue-green space be planned for climate adaption in high-latitude cities? A seasonal perspective

Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme climatic events and the intensity of heatwaves in high-latitude cities that have rarely been affected in the past, yet there is less attention to these regions. Therefore, we selected Copenhagen as the case, we used spatial/statistical methods to assess the cooling-effect of blue-green spaces in different seasons. We found (1) land surface temperature (LST) is negatively correlated with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) in all seasons; (2) Tree-covered greenspace with a compact shape would be a priority for climate adaption in high-latitude cities. While when the area of blue-green space is large to a certain extent (>1 ha), the complex shape also has a strong cooling-effect. Further, the area and cooling extent and intensity conform a logarithm function with significant correlations except for winter. (3) Compared with other seasons, blue-green space provides a higher cooling-effect in summer, and the mean cooling extent and intensity are 150 m and 2.47℃; (4) Background temperature can significantly affect the threshold value of efficiency (TVoE). The results of this study expand the understanding of the cooling-effect of blue-green spaces and provide implications for sustainable urban planning.