Green Spaces In City Research Articles

Examining the Change of Green View Index (GVI) at Street Eye-Level with GSV and YSV

Green spaces in cities make them look better and benefit the environment and people's well-being. Spending time in nature reduces stress, improves mental relaxation, and increases happiness. Green spaces also encourage people to be more active, which strengthens muscles, improves heart health, and reduces the risk of obesity. Tools like Google Street View (GSV) and Yandex Street View (YSV) simplify tracking and assessing these urban green areas. This gives planners up-to-date information to effectively plan and manage cityscapes. However, limitations exist. Information on street-level greenery assessment can be scarce, making planning challenging. This study used the Green View Index (GVI) to assess street greenery using GSV images. The study found GSV and YSV to be good tools for assessing and monitoring street-level greenery. GVI was also suggested as a possible way to objectively measure street-level greenness, which could be useful for urban landscape planning and management.

Sacred sites provide urban green spaces that maintain bird diversity in the megacity of Tokyo, Japan

Green spaces in cities are thought to play an important role in maintaining urban biodiversity. However, it is difficult to create large new areas of green space in big cities. Therefore, existing green spaces need to be conserved and properly managed to conserve urban biodiversity. In big Japanese cities, sacred sites such as shrines, temples, and historic parks are some of the common types of green space. In addition to their role as religious spaces, they may also play an important role in urban biodiversity conservation because of their function as long-term reserves of natural vegetation. In this study, we examined the function of shrines, temples, and historic parks in Bunkyo ward, Tokyo, in maintaining bird diversity by comparing them with urban parks. In addition, a vegetation survey was conducted to identify environmental factors that affect bird diversity, and differences in the bird species observed in each type of green space are discussed. The heterogeneity of bird species composition between study sites was higher among shrines and temples than among urban parks.Forest bird abundance was higher during the breeding season and bird species richness was higher in winter at shrines and temples and historic parks than in urban parks. Bird diversity was positively affected by the abundance of shrubs and evergreen trees. We found that sacred sites were more important than urban parks for maintaining bird diversity. The results also suggested that differences in vegetation structure are a cause of this pattern, and small green spaces in the grounds of sacred sites are managed in a way that is more suitable for maintaining bird diversity.However, shrines and temples, despite their strong historical and cultural value, are threatened by recent urbanization. It is necessary to maintain and properly manage these green spaces as part of urban ecosystems.

CONCEPT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN URBAN ECOSYSTEM: MAIN THEORETICAL APPROACHES

The article reveals the basic theoretical approaches to the formation of a green urban ecosystem in the conditions of modern urbanization. The importance of ecological planning in cities and the impact of green spaces on improving the urban environment are substantiated. The necessity of introducing new methods of managing urban ecosystems, taking into account modern environmental challenges, has been established. Based on the set goal, modern approaches to planning and management of green infrastructure are considered. It is argued that the integration of natural components into urban structures is a key prerequisite for the sustainable development of urban areas. The main principles of creation and maintenance of the urban ecosystem were studied, in particular in the context of adaptation to climate change. The main trends in the development of green spaces in cities have been determined. Further perspectives of research should be directed to the integration of innovative solutions to improve the ecological condition of urban areas. The article also discusses the concept of urban ecosystems and what functions they perform. The latest scientific studies on the growing interest in the problems of green infrastructure development in cities were analyzed. Fifteen principles of green urbanism are analyzed in detail and examples of how they are implemented in some countries of the European Union are given. It is proved that the implementation of the concept of "green" economy is possible only if state mechanisms are introduced to encourage investment in environmentally safe production. Attention is focused on the need to change the methods and forms of fiscal policy at the government level, adopt appropriate laws and regulations, radically reform the policy of subsidizing and supporting renewable energy sources, and further increase investment in the "green" sectors of the economy. It is shown that the development and implementation of the concept of "green" economy in Ukraine should be considered as the main reference point and the basis of state policy. To improve environmental safety in the capital, it is necessary to consistently implement a range of organizational, technical, innovative and other environmental measures with mandatory definition of the social optimum of environmental quality, which will be accompanied by increasing environmental costs and significantly increasing society's requirements for economical use.

Tree selection for a virtual urban park: Comparing aided and unaided decision-making to support public engagement in greenspace design

To meet urban resilience goals and the needs of growing populations, cities aim to develop multifunctional greenspaces and urban forests. Urban greening is seen to improve the quality of life for residents, contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and socio-ecological resilience, and meet climate mitigation and adaptation goals. There is also a growing recognition of the importance of involving individuals and communities in the design and planning of greenspace in cities, particularly in the configuration of parks and in identifying the types of vegetation found there. In these contexts, it is increasingly common to engage the public with virtual 3D landscapes, with the ultimate goals of crowdsourcing preferences, knowledge, and patterns of use. There have been few studies to systematically examine how the public interacts with these virtual spaces, and their decision-making needs. Experts have a fluency with a broad range of ecosystem services that flow from urban greenspaces, as well as a familiarity with trees and other landscape elements. This is not the case for the public, who may instead rely on familiar and visually salient landscape attributes. This is in keeping with the concept of constructed preferences, where judgements are formed as they are elicited and are heavily influenced by available information. This study thus compares aided and unaided decision-making by the public in a virtual 3D urban park. Participants were invited to plant trees in park; some participants were provided with a brief description of a key ecosystem function of each tree (along with an illustration of that tree), other participants were only provided the illustration. Three key insights emerge from this research: (i) public tree preferences are sensitive to whether information is provided or withheld, (ii) in the absence of information, easy to evaluate characteristics (i.e., visually salient characteristics) played a large role in tree selection within the virtual urban parks, and (iii) for most participants, and consistent with other studies, aesthetics was the most important attribute guiding tree choice. These insights can support improved public engagement in landscape design and planning, particularly in crowdsourced and virtual settings.

How Do Urban Nature Parks Contribute to Psychological Restoration? The Perspective of Embodied Experience

Urban nature parks, as public green spaces in cities, hold great significance in helping individuals rejuvenate their physical and mental well-being in response to the demands of daily life and work. While researchers have widely recognized the psychologically restorative effects of urban nature parks, the role of embodied experiences in the restoration process has not received adequate attention. Drawing upon the embodied theory, this study explores how embodied nature experiences contribute to and support psychological restoration, as well as the underlying psychological mechanisms. The findings indicate that embodied nature experiences in urban nature parks directly and indirectly facilitate psychological restoration by enhancing nature connectedness and social connectedness. Furthermore, nature connectedness and social connectedness serve as serial mediators between embodied nature experiences and psychological restoration. These conclusions provide empirical evidence for the future development of urban nature parks.

Life Cycle Assessment of Green Space Irrigation Using Treated Wastewater: A Case Study

Water scarcity is a pressing issue that makes it essential to manage this resource efficiently and sustainably. One solution to combat this issue is the use of treated wastewater (TWW) to irrigate green spaces in cities. However, it is crucial to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with this practice. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) is the most advanced tool available. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental implications of using TWW for lawn irrigation in the city of Viseu. The ReCiPe 2016 method, supported by SimaPro software, was employed for life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). An attributional approach was used, and the system boundaries were expanded to include the non-discharge of TWW into the receiving environment, the avoided consumption of domestic water, and the avoided consumption of chemical fertilizers. The results revealed that using TWW for lawn irrigation is preferable in terms of human health and ecosystem damage but unfavorable in terms of resource damage. When considering the impact of water consumption on human health and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, it is recommended to use treated wastewater for lawn irrigation.

Evaluation of the Contribution of Cemeteries to Urban Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Edirne

Although green spaces in cities play a critical role in providing ecosystem services, cemeteries are often consideredan overlooked part of urban green spaces. However, in recent years, these areas have come to the forefront due totheir potential to provide a range of important ecosystem services such as conservation of biological diversity,habitat provision, air quality regulation, carbon storage, and water management. This study aims to concretelydetermine the contribution of four cemeteries -Acıçeşme, Buçuktepe, Bademlik and Karaağaç- located within thecentral district boundaries of Edirne, to urban ecosystem services. Using the i-Tree Canopy model, the land coverdistribution, air pollution impacts, and carbon sequestration/storage amounts of these cemeteries were analysed.The results indicate that Buçuktepe cemetery provides the highest ecosystem services due to its large area and densetree canopy. It is estimated that the 64.2% tree canopy cover in Buçuktepe Cemetery removes 365.44 kg of gasesand particulate matter from the air annually, sequesters 16.02 tonnes of carbon and stores 402.21 tonnes of carbon.These results show that cemeteries make a significant contribution to regulating ecosystem services in urban areas.The study highlights the potential for transforming cemeteries into multifunctional landscapes that contribute tourban ecosystem services.

Transformation of A Sustainable City Using Object-Oriented Techniques for Urban Green Space Planning – A Case Study of Lusaka City

Effective land resource management and sustainable development, particularly in urban green spaces, rely on strategicland planning and mapping techniques such as Remote Sensing. This study utilises object-based classification techniques,employing Google Earth Engine and Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS), to examine Lusaka City's greenspace encroachment. Findings reveal a 59% increase in built-up areas towards the north-east direction and a 2% declinein green spaces towards the south-east part of Lusaka. The implications are significant, highlighting the urgent need forintervention to preserve the city's environmental balance. Immediate action is essential, requiring rigorous regulations,community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical role of remotesensing in monitoring urban green spaces and identifying sustainability threats, emphasising the importance of prioritisingthe protection and improvement of green spaces through comprehensive land use planning and land use land covermapping through the use of object-based classification techniques.

Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Sequestration of Urban Green Spaces in Danang City, Vietnam

Green space in cities is an essential component of the urban environment. Different forms of urban green spaces, with varying populations, plant communities, and roles, offer varying urban ecological advantages. Using the i-Tree Eco model, this study examined the structural characteristics of urban green trees and calculated the biomass storage capacity and carbon sequestration in urban green spaces in Da Nang City. The results revealed a considerable diversity of species composition among 7,513 trees belonging to 42 species of 20 families studied in four types of green spaces, with Terminalia catappa, Cyrtostachys renda, and Roystonea regia dominating. The average Shannon biodiversity index was 2.9, with the institution having the highest at 2.6 and the park having the lowest at 2.2. The total leaf biomass per hectare was 588.0 kg/ha, and the carbon sequestration rate was 2,845.30 kg/ha. Ficus subpisocarpa was the species with the highest value for these two advantages, and the park was the green space with the highest benefit in terms of biomass and carbon sequestration.

Connecting people with place-specific nature in cities reduces unintentional harm

There is an increasing disconnect between people and nature as we become more urbanised. Intensification in cities often results in a reduction of natural areas, more homogenised and manicured green spaces, and loss of biota. Compared to people in rural areas, urban dwellers are less likely visit natural areas and recognise and value biota. Reconnecting people with nature in the city not only benefits human mental and physical wellbeing but can also have positive effects on how people value biodiversity and act on conservation issues. However, in some contexts, the push to reconnect people with nature may have unintended negative outcomes on biodiversity, particularly if place-specific nature is not used in urban greening. In the current biodiversity crisis, using vegetation and green space design that is not reflective of the environmental context of a city can further disconnect residents, particularly Indigenous people, from their local environment and species, and further entrench extinction of experience and loss of environmental values. This disconnect can result in residents applying wildlife gardening practices, such as bird feeding, that are not specific to place, and benefit introduced species over indigenous species. Furthermore, cities are gateways for invasive species, and using species in greening projects that are not locally sourced has already left cities and their surrounding regions with a large weed legacy. Using place-specific nature and green space in cities can be less resource intensive, highly beneficial for biodiversity and give residents a unique sense of place. Rather than simply adding ‘more nature’ in cities, the messaging should be more complex, emphasising the need for urban greening to be context specific to avoid negative impacts on biodiversity and ecological and cultural services.

Plant–hummingbird interaction networks in an urban area: a generalist species as the protagonist in mutualistic and agonistic interactions

ABSTRACT The maintenance of green areas within cities is essential for promoting urban biodiversity and species interactions. Here, we evaluated the interactions between hummingbirds and their visited plants over the course of a year in an urban park in Barreiras, western Bahia, Brazil. Each month, from October 2018 to September 2019, we recorded hummingbird species, the plants they visit, and their agonistic interactions. We recorded 748 legitimate visits by six hummingbirds to five plant species. Most plant species (60%) flowered continuously, and most visits were recorded in the rainy season when the network was also more specialized (H2' = 0.821). Chionomesa fimbriata was the only hummingbird recorded during all studied months. This species performed 70% of all visits recorded and was involved in most agonistic interactions (n = 68). The availability of resources affected the number of visits (p = 0.016). Tree species producing many flowers increased hummingbird diversity and concentrated most of the agonistic interactions. Plant species with continuous flowering represented a persistent supply of resources, favoring the residence of C. fimbriata within the study site. Despite the low diversity of resources, the richness of hummingbirds recorded attests to the importance of maintaining green spaces in cities to promote urban biodiversity.

Nature connectedness connects the visibility of trees through windows and mental wellbeing: a study on the “3 visible trees” component of the 3-30-300 rule

ABSTRACT To examine the mediatory role of nature connectedness between tree visibility through windows and mental wellbeing, we conducted a questionnaire survey and examined the mediation effect using both cross-sectional and semi-longitudinal mediation models. We evaluated nature connectedness using the Inclusion of Nature in Self (INS) scale and the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) and measured mental wellbeing using the WHO-5 wellbeing index. Our results showed that participants who could see at least three trees through their windows reported higher levels of both nature connectedness and mental wellbeing compared to those without such visibility. Nature connectedness significantly mediated the relationship between the visibility of trees through windows and mental wellbeing, albeit with a somewhat limited effect. More broadly, this study provides additional evidence in support of the “3” component of the 3-30-300 “rule” for equitable access to greenspace in cities.

Quantitative Soil Quality Assessment by Using Visual Soil-Field Assessment Tools (VS-FAST)

Unplanned land use reflects the changes from agricultural to urbanization and decreasing of green spaces in cities and agricultural lands surrounding cities. The Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Dry Bare - Soil Index (DBSI) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) indices were derived to evaluate the rate of the land use/cover changes due to uncontrolled urban sprawl for the years 2001 and 2020. Field indicators were also used to assess soil properties’ degradation by using Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA) under the FAO Global Environment Facility (GEF) project. A set of 30 soil samples were randomly collected from two locations: unplanned built-up and vegetated sites in Babil Governorate, Iraq. The results showed that soil texture and salinity were the most varied indicators. The poorer areas (unplanned urban areas) were low and assessed as poor quality, while the vegetated site was assessed as moderate quality with high total score values. The findings from spectral indices show a significant rise in the built-up land use/cover category, expanding from 10.367 square kilometres in 2001 to 50.883 square kilometres in 2020. In contrast, the areas of bare-soils and vegetated decreased from 29.29 and 35.474 square kilometres in 2001 to 12.511 and 19.601 square kilometres in 2020, respectively. Various analytical techniques proved instrumental in distinguishing the different land use/cover categories in this research.

Use of wildlife-friendly structures in residential gardens by animal wildlife: evidence from citizen scientists in a global biodiversity hotspot

Private gardens comprise a large component of greenspace in cities and can offer substantial conservation opportunities. There has been strong advocacy from researchers, policymakers, and conservation practitioners to engage householders in wildlife-friendly gardening practices to increase the quantity, quality and connection of habitat resources for urban wildlife. Despite this call to action, there remains limited knowledge on the use and benefit of some wildlife-friendly structures within gardens, such as artificial refuges and water sources. In collaboration with 131 citizen scientists in southwestern Australia, we examined the use of seven wildlife-friendly structure types by four vertebrate taxa groups. Following 2841 wildlife surveys undertaken between 31 July 2022 and 22 February 2023, we found that all structures were used primarily by target taxa, water sources were often used by relatively common species, certain structures such as possum shelters were used by rare and threatened species (e.g. western ringtail possum), and that there was evidence of animals making use of the wildlife-friendly structures for reproduction (e.g. bird eggs in nest boxes and tadpoles in water sources). Water sources were used more frequently and by a greater diversity of wildlife than artificial refuges. In particular, bird baths were used by the highest number of species (mainly birds) while ponds were used by the greatest variety of taxa (birds, reptiles, frogs, mammals). Our findings provide evidence-based support for the advocacy of wildlife-friendly gardening practices and further highlight the role of residential gardens for biodiversity conservation.

Green cities and vector-borne diseases: emerging concerns and opportunities.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, nature-based solutions such as urban greening e.g. public gardens, urban forests, parks and street trees, which aim to protect, sustainably manage or restore an ecosystem, have emerged as a promising tool for improving the health and well-being of an ever-increasing urban population. While urban greening efforts have undeniable benefits for human health and the biological communities inhabiting these green zones, disease vector populations may also be affected, possibly promoting greater pathogen transmission and the emergence of infectious diseases such as dengue, West Nile fever, malaria, leishmaniosis and tick-borne diseases. Evidence for the impact of urban green areas on vector-borne disease (VBD) transmission is scarce. Furthermore, because of vast disparities between cities, variation in green landscapes and differing scales of observation, findings are often contradictory; this calls for careful assessment of how urban greening affects VBD risk. Improved understanding of the effect of urban greening on VBDs would support planning, monitoring and management of green spaces in cities to sustainably mitigate VBD risks for surrounding urban populations.

The Structure of Beauty: Informal Green Spaces in Their Users’ Eyes

Informal Green Spaces (IGS) in towns and cities are areas of varied appearance, representing a wide range of aesthetic values. In this study, we have focused on how users perceive such space and which elements match some particular values. Based on the analysis of photographic images taken by chosen IGS visitors, the technique called Visitor-Employed Photography (VEP), we elicited three primary groups of IGS images, namely landscape, scenery, and special elements. It is possible to define several visual structures in each category, with highly preferable spatial fragments and particular attributes. They are aesthetic prototypes, centers of aesthetic preferences among users of informal green areas. Recognizing proximity to the preference core allows us to define the preferred IGS landscape aesthetics. Based on the data collected, we have concluded that IGS users prefer vast grass areas, dense groups of trees and shrubs, water, and the absence of anthropogenic elements.

Unveiling the Essential Role of Green Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the essential role of urban and rural green spaces for societies coping with global public health crisis. During this particular time, a significant body of research was devoted to human–nature relationships, as well as the use and importance of green spaces, both from the management and visitors’ perspectives, along with the vital role of nature in human health and wellbeing. Furthermore, the pandemic experience induced new paradigms in spatial and urban planning, along with the management of forest and protected areas seeing the crucial role of green spaces in shaping long-term socio-environmental resilience and sustainability. Thus, after the official end of the pandemic, our study aimed to provide a systematic review of the international research related to green spaces within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on those published between 2020 and 2023. The literature search within SCOPUS and Web of Science databases was conducted on 16 May 2023. A dataset of 161 articles was analyzed using a two-stage analysis. In the first stage, screening based on the title, abstract, and keywords was carried out. In the second stage, a detailed full text analysis was carried out, resulting in a final dataset of 66 articles related to the scope of this review. This article gives an in-depth methodological and conceptual overview, also referring to the applied research and management context related to green spaces in urban and rural environments. It concludes with lessons learned and poses open questions for future research related to green space planning and management. The literature review shows that institutions managing green spaces in cities and forests are facing new challenges. These include pursuing sustainable management policies in cities, ensuring equitable access to urban green space and community participation in the decision-making process, adapting suburban forest management to social expectations, and the recreational development of forest areas taking into account social needs and ecosystem sustainability.

Ants Density of Odontomachus sp. and Its Ecological Role in Kendari City Green Open Space

The degradation of environmental quality has become a global problem today. One way to address this is by providing green open spaces that help maintain environmental quality. Kendari city has a number of green open spaces (RTH) including, RTH in Baruga sub-district, Kendari mayor's office area and in Nanga-nanga botanical garden of Kendari city. This study aims to determine the density and ecological role of ants (Odontomachus sp.) in green open spaces in Kendari city. The method used in this study was hand sorting using ring samples with a diameter of 20 cm and a height of 15 cm in a plot measuring 25 m x 25 m consisting of 25 sampling points with a distance of 5 m per point. Data analysis was carried out by calculating the density at each research location, namely Baruga green space, mayor's park and Nanga-nanga botanical garden. The results showed that the highest density of ants (Odontomachus sp.) was found in the mayor's park with 16 ind/m2. The ecological role of ants (Odontomachus sp.) in Kendari city green open space is an important role in bioturbation and natural predators of soil fauna such as termites and earthworms.

How Can the Balance of Green Infrastructure Supply and Demand Build an Ecological Security Pattern

The escalating degradation of urban eco-environments has underscored the significance of ecological security in sustainable urban development. Green infrastructure bridges green spaces in cities and increases ecosystem connectivity, thereby optimizing urban ecological security patterns. This study uses Nanjing as a case study and adopts a research paradigm that involves identifying ecological sources, constructing resistance surfaces, and subsequently extracting corridors within the ecological security pattern. This method amalgamates the evaluation of green infrastructure supply and demand, leading to the identification of both ecological corridors and nodes. The findings reveal that while the supply of green infrastructure in Nanjing is low in the city center and high in the suburbs, demand is high in the central area and low in the periphery, indicating a spatial mismatch between supply and demand. Ecological corridors and nodes are categorized into the core, important, and general levels based on their centrality and areas of supply–demand optimization. The connectivity, supply capacity, and supply–demand relationship of green infrastructure in Nanjing have been enhanced to varying degrees through the ecological security pattern optimization. The results of this study can serve as a decision-making reference for optimizing green infrastructure network patterns and enhancing urban ecological security.

Pemanfaatan Sistem Informasi Geografis untuk Pengembangan Ruang Terbuka Hijau Kota Bandung

Urban changes characterized by concrete and steel dominance have threatened the existence of green spaces in cities. Urban greening is crucial to address urban environmental issues. The city of Bandung, faces challenges of limited green spaces and suboptimal park management. The aim of this research is to examine and apply a park asset management model using the asset management approach and GIS. This approach aims to optimize park functionality and enhance the quality of Bandung's green spaces. The study adopts a descriptive approach with interview and field observation techniques. Park attribute data is collected through direct observation and organized in GIS format. Spatial analysis using GIS is conducted to identify park characteristics and potential management opportunities. By employing the asset management approach and GIS, relevant and significant park attributes for asset management can be identified. This information aids in making better park management decisions. Additionally, GIS enables spatial analysis to evaluate the strategic level of parks and optimize their utilization. The asset management approach and the implementation of GIS provide effective solutions for the development and management of Bandung's green spaces. By optimizing the use of park assets and applying asset management principles, it is expected to improve the quality of green spaces and provide greater benefits to the city's residents.