Concept Of Green Infrastructure Research Articles

Fundamental LCZ Mapping with ArcGIS-Based Spatial and Correlational Analyses to Study the Impacts of Infrastructural Area- Maximum Volume (A-MV) Attributes on OTC – An Urban Aw Summer Case

The aim of this study is to map the study location stretches into 100mx100m local climate zones (LCZs) on the basis of primary observations and secondary photographic data for spatial analysis of various urban infrastructural elements (grey(G)-built structures, blue(B)-water bodies and green (Gr)-natural vegetation) and impact assessment of their estimated area (EA) and maximum volume (EMV)) on the air temperature (Ta) that characterizes the outdoor thermal comfort (OTC). Climate Modification by Urban Infrastructure, Fundamental Concepts of Urban Infrastructure Mensuration Parameters, Fundamental Concepts of Urban Grey Blue Green Infrastructure (UGBGI) and Concepts Of OTC, Koppen Classification and LCZs are the linked areas. Study locations are based on socio-economic and geophysical attributes. Initial 200 pilot survey responses regarding thermal sensation votes and other subjective details were used. Preferred values of Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and optimum Ta have been used. After the mapping in ArcGIS and polygonal delineation of the areas, EA values were compiled in tabular format. Based on primary measurements and secondary studies, a maximum height (hmax) value was assigned to each sub-category for EMV evaluation. Statistically, the EA and estimated perimeter (EP) values were analyzed using QQ, scatter plots, histogram and generate near table tools in ArcGIS. EA and EMV values were correlated with mean Ta values by linear regression. The R-square values generated gave a clear idea about the extent of their impacts on Ta. From the established relationships and preferred PET and optimum Ta values, optimum EA, EMV and hmax values of the broader categories(G,B,Gr) required for preferred OTC levels were finally evaluated.

Integrating green infrastructure in Italian urban plans. Lessons from Turin and Bologna

Spatial planning constitutes an institutional activity of government and governance that sets up reference development frameworks to coordinate policies and actions for cities and territories. This activity is functional to have coherence and support the implementation of European and international policies focused on socio-ecological transition. The study provides an overview of how the concept of green infrastructure (GI) is central to spatial planning to enable a sustainable regeneration of contemporary cities and territories and to protect biodiversity within a climate-proof framework of interventions. The research aim is to explore the modalities of GI methodological integration in urban planning to address the green transition. Two Italian case studies have been selected to investigate how differently structured urban plans at the local scale design and interpret GI. The discussion from the comparative case study analysis focuses on what one can learn from conformative planning approaches in response to contemporary challenges and with respect to the regulatory framework in force. Final reflections concern the need to work in Italy on a review of the traditional urban planning model with new national fundamental principles, providing a framework for coherence and coordination of the national post-pandemic recovery programme.

A transdisciplinary multiscaled approach to engage with green infrastructure planning, restoration and use in sub-Saharan Africa

The systematic integration of green infrastructure (GI) concepts in urban planning shows promise to reduce environmental hazards; while creating sociocultural benefits. However, cities in sub-Saharan Africa face rapid urbanisation and are challenged by the degradation of existing GI, increasing their vulnerability to climatic risks. This paper presents the findings of a transdisciplinary research project that investigated GI planning in the City of Tshwane, South Africa, over two years. The researchers conducted a community survey, an on-the-ground rapid assessment of multifunctional benefit provisions, first-hand observations of local stormwater systems, reviewed policy documents and conducted semi-structured interviews with metro officials. To integrate the above findings, four design studios and eight co-creation workshops were held that explored GI spatial planning in the city. The researchers examined the uptake of GI planning principles, and the challenges, opportunities and local proposals for GI applications, and here synthesised some main conclusions. Despite many well-known challenges, GI opportunities include creating socioeconomic incentives for stronger human-nature relations, providing for multifunctional benefits and anchoring GI in local communities. Interactive research can facilitate increased local awareness and engagement, but access to GI benefits is physically constrained and socially determined by knowledge, networks and safety factors. Based on the above findings, the researchers propose locally adapted planning strategies to enhance GI: creating opportunities for GI access and co-ownership, encouraging multifunctional, safe and flexible GI, supporting multiscale GI integration, and strengthening collaborative governance. A joint GI vision can reinforce city ownership along with flexible and creative design alternatives that are rooted in local communities.

Digital tools for the formation of urban green infrastructure

The article describes the relationship between the development of the concept of urban green infrastructure and digital technologies that allow modeling the sustainable development of populated areas based on the analysis of the state of the environment and the natural framework of the city. The possibilities of digital tools for field and remote data collection and analysis of green infrastructure are mainly demonstrated through the example of Krasnoyarsk. The article presents the interim results of D. V. Zlobin’s thesis research.

The zone cube model – A tool to operationalise green infrastructure prioritisation

The concept of green infrastructure (GI) offers a comprehensive approach for environmental sustainability with the network of multifunctional ecosystems providing positive ecological, economic and societal benefits. In our study, we showed a five step conceptual framework with a case study for Hungary to evaluate GI and spatially prioritise its development methods. We created a three-dimensional zone cube model to evaluate GI performance based on the three main pillars of GI (i.e. ecological condition, ecosystem services, and ecological connectivity). We designated zones for four development approaches (i.e. ecosystem preservation, enhancement, conversion, and connectivity improvement), identified target ecosystems for conversion by using multiple potential natural vegetation (MPNV) modelling, and prioritised them based on land use conflict and feasibility indicators.According to the condition assessment, 49% of Hungary’s area may be regarded as part of the actual GI network. We identified 15.4% as possible ecosystem enhancement area, 80.3% as potential ecosystem conversion region, and 1.9% as potential landscape corridor areas in addition to 5.3% of the country’s area with outstanding GI status recommended for preservation. As an illustration of how to prioritize the restoration of grasslands, we demonstrated that 3.15 million hectares would likely be suitable for grasslands, 1.96 million hectares experience one or more environmental conflicts, and 172,000 ha should receive priority because they are also Natura 2000 sites. Our framework provided a unified operational tool overarching GI performance assessment, designation, and development prioritisation applicable at the national level providing also means to quantify measurable targets to support sustainability commitments globally.

Reorienting urban green infrastructure planning towards biodiversity – Perspectives and ongoing debates from Germany

The concept of green infrastructure has the potential to promote planning and implementation of multifunctional green and blue spaces that tackle several urban sustainability issues. Around 2016, German governmental institutions initiated a discourse on green infrastructure as a planning approach at the federal level. This initiative resulted, amongst other, in an urban green infrastructure planning concept tailored for the German planning context. This initial framing of the concept was broad and relatively open. It was supposed to address a wide range of disciplines in field of urban green and blue spaces and integrate their perspectives. In this short communication, we use the example from Germany to discuss how concepts such urban green infrastructure could, or should, evolve in the light of changing socio-political priorities. In response to calls for action on ecosystem and biodiversity loss, we propose shifting the focus of green infrastructure planning explicitly to biodiversity. However, reframing around a specific topic might exclude actors with other priorities and reduce the integrative potential of the concept. Therefore, we suggest how biodiversity can be defined as a cross-cutting issue that creates synergies with other urban sustainability goals such as climate adaptation or social cohesion and avoids narrowing the integrative idea. We use eight best practice cases to illustrate that biodiversity goals can go hand in hand with other urban sustainability goals. Based on these cases, we conclude that urban green infrastructure provides a solid framework that allows a shift in priorities towards biodiversity, while the integrated approach is maintained. These considerations are derived from an on-going research and development project that aims to make the green infrastructure concept actionable for German cities.

Identifying a green infrastructure to prioritise areas for restoration to enhance the landscape connectivity and the provision of ecosystem services

IntroductionHabitat fragmentation is one of the major causes of the loss of biodiversity that our planet is experiencing. This has affected the ecosystems functioning and, consequently, the provision of ecosystem services (ES). Therefore, the European Commission, in a 2013 communication, established the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI), which is a strategically planned network of multifunctional areas with the aim of protecting biodiversity and ES supply, as well as improving ecological connectivity. Ecological restoration is an essential element to achieve the objectives of the GI, which if well targeted, could reverse widespread ecosystem degradation and improve landscape connectivity.ObjectiveIn this study, we propose a methodology to prioritise areas to restore by identifying a GI in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve (UBR), in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, where forest plantations of exotic species abound.MethodsIn order to identify the elements of the GI (core areas and corridors) we integrated a multispecies approach based on the movement of key species and an ES-based approach based on multifunctionality. Subsequently, to prioritise areas to restore we identified sectors in the GI, where connectivity is particularly vulnerable (pinch points) using the circuit theory. Thus, forest plantations around the pinch points were prioritised for a future restoration plans depending on their aim: (1) Improve corridors of high importance and low quality for the multispecies approach (2) Improve corridors of high importance and low quality for the ES-based approach, and (3) Improve the connectivity of the GI for the species movement.ResultsThe resultant GI included 36% of the UBR surface. We identified 34 pinch points for the corridors of the three especies in the multispecies approach and 64 in the ES-based approach. We prioritised 149 ha of exotic forest plantations around the pinch points to convert into native forest in order to improve the corridors and 167 ha to improve GI connectivity.ConclusionThis information could be useful for organizations and institutions carrying out restoration actions for the recovering of native forests in the territory.

Mapping Ecological Infrastructure in a Cross-Border Regional Context

Facing the decline of biodiversity worldwide, the conservation of the remaining natural and semi-natural areas is fundamental. To do so, the concept of green infrastructure has gained attention recently. This case study presents the method developed to identify the green infrastructure in a cross-border, urbanized territory between Switzerland and France in the area of influence of the city of Geneva. The first part of the methodology consists of calculating and mapping the inputs aggregated in four pillars: (i) the distribution of habitats as well as the predicted distribution of hundreds of plant and animal species, (ii) the supply of five ecosystem services, (iii) the functional connectivity for three animal species and the light pollution and (iv) five indices of landscape’s structure. These inputs are then used to run a prioritization model to identify the areas with the highest ecological interest according to these weighted inputs. The cross-border situation of this case study had impacts on the way the input data were gathered and weighted and on the way the output was created to consider the expectations of the three main local authorities involved, without creating any legal obligations on the implementation of the green infrastructure. As a positive sign of the usefulness of these results, the resulting maps were immediately transferred to the land use planners in charge of developing ambitious visions of the “Grand Genève” territory for 2050 in alignment with 10 objectives of ecological transition as recently agreed and signed by local authorities. The method presented in this article is flexible and includes a broad description of biodiversity, supporting a reliable network of areas with high ecological values for conservation purposes and human well-being.

Advancing flood resilience: the nexus between flood risk management, green infrastructure, and resilience

IntroductionClimate change and the fast pace of urbanization are two major factors contributing to the exacerbated risk of flooding in urban areas. Flood resilience strategies, underpinned by the principles of green infrastructure, are gaining importance as within broader spatial planning approaches, and various global cities are adopting revised policies and frameworks to improve flood risk management. Yet, such responsive approaches are still limited and context-specific.MethodsIn this article, thematic analysis using NVivo was employed to analyse 49 documents related to flood risk management, resilience, and green infrastructure planning.ResultsThis paper reflects on the concepts of flood risk management, flood resilience and green infrastructure planning to identify the synergies between these concepts, and identify challenges that are prohibiting global flood resilience.DiscussionEnhancing flood resilience requires coordinated efforts, effective communication, and collaborative governance among stakeholders. The paper also draws planning recommendations for advancing flood resilience through governance and an integrated planning approach, in support of the global goals toward flood resilience.

Moving green infrastructure planning from theory to practice in sub-Saharan African cities requires collaborative operationalization

Researchers increasingly consider the systematic integration of green infrastructure (GI) concepts in urban planning as an essential approach to tackle significant current and future challenges. Cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face rapid urbanization, unregulated land-use practices, and poor enforcement of policies. These cities struggle to address the depletion and degradation of existing GI that increases their vulnerability to climatic hazards that threaten ecosystem integrity, and compromise human health. This paper draws on a review of policy documents, semi-structured interviews with metro officials, and cross-sector focus group discussions to explore ways to operationalize GI spatial planning and design on the ground. Through a case study of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa, which takes a public-private co-development approach, we investigate the uptake of GI planning principles, the challenges, and local proposals for GI applications. In conjunction with the literature, we discuss the alternatives at hand. The local policy documents reflected many planning principles anchored in the Global North literature. Together with public and private partners, we co-developed four locally informed GI objectives: environmental protection, safety, joint ownership, and collaborative governance. We co-identified local planning principles and three strategies for operationalizing GI planning, including working with conventional planning, greater flexibility and creativity, and cross-sectoral collaboration. The findings suggest that collaborative strategies that allow greater access and the active, diverse use of GI could provide much-required cross-sectoral care and management. The real challenge is the establishment of such participatory partnerships as mechanisms to consolidate diverse priorities and co-develop technical and financial alternatives.

Conceptual Model for Integrating the Green-Blue Infrastructure in Planning Using Geospatial Tools: Case Study of Bucharest, Romania Metropolitan Area

A green-blue infrastructure is essential for achieving the European Green Deal objectives and can be used to protect large cities and their metropolitan areas against urban sprawl. Green-blue infrastructure is an important research topic, because green-blue planning networks provide solutions for mitigating contemporary growing urban and climate challenges. Our study aims to create an innovative methodology for defining and analyzing the elements of green-blue infrastructure and their connectivity within Bucharest, Romania and its metropolitan area, to serve as a planning model. The methodology consists of merging European geodata sets with metropolitan and local data, using GIS tools, and analyzing the connectivity within the study area. All connections resulted from implementing the Linkage Mapper tool were operationalized, using high-resolution satellite images and correcting obtained connections, so that deviations from reality were minimized. The results consist of a conceptual model for planning the green-blue infrastructure within Bucharest and in its metropolitan area, embedding an analysis of its connectivity. The study contributes to implementing the concept of green infrastructure in urban and spatial planning, providing tools for planning the green-blue infrastructures of large cities and their metropolitan areas and, implicitly, reducing urban sprawl, improving air quality and mitigating environmental threats due to climate change.

Ecological and aesthetic aspects of the organization of public use areas by means of green infrastructure

Relevance. Trends in the development of the concept of green infrastructure in post-Soviet cities prompts a rethinking of approaches to landscaping the areas surrounding administrative buildings, educational and research institutions. The Northern Building of Karazin University is one of the symbols of education in Kharkiv, and the ecological reconstruction of the space in front of the building is also relevant. Objective. To develop a concept and formulate design proposals for the improvement of the territory in front of the main facade of the North Building of Karazin University. Methods. To develop the concept, we analyzed historical and cartographic information. To create the project, we used the program Realtime Landscaping Architect 2023.02, Trial Free Version. Results. Based on the analysis of the history of the formation of the territory on Svobody Square between the buildings of Karazin University and taking into account its current state, it is proposed to develop a landscape idea of using new environmental trends in urban greening, which was launched during the Greening of the Planet campaign (2021). A proposal for the ecological reconstruction of the area in front of the main facade of the North Building of Karazin University at 6 Svobody Square is substantiated. Kharkiv, using cultivars of the grafted form of fine-sawed sakura on a tall stem to create new landscaping locations. The assortment catalog of plant material proposed for the renovation of the parterres in front of the building was compiled and the approximate economic costs for its implementation were calculated. The use of small architectural forms, such as benches for rest, authentic fences, etc. is substantiated. An animation file of the project in .mp4 format was created for visualization. Conclusions. The developed proposal for the ecological reconstruction of the area in front of the main facade of the Northern Building of Karazin University will ensure the creation of a single style solution for the landscaping of the territory of Freedom Square and the buildings located on it.

Lost in implementation? A field study of the uptake of the ‘green infrastructure’ term and concept in urban policies

ABSTRACT With growing urban populations and increasing demands for more liveable, healthy and resilient cities, green infrastructure (GI) emerged over the last decade as a strategy to improve the quality of life in urban areas, delivering ecological, socio-cultural and economic benefits. To reach the European Union’s political ambitions, it is vital that the concept and its content are used consistently and coherently from national to local scale. Regarding the content, the ambiguity of the multifunctionality characteristic of GI presents an opportunity for adaptation to local values, while also risking to remain a vague and abstract promise. A policy analysis was conducted in four European cities to investigate the uptake of the GI concept in policies relevant for urban green spaces and if it is in line with EU’s understanding. Additionally, we investigate through interviews how interactions between agencies contribute to the mainstreaming of the concept to the municipal level. We found variations in uptake level and interpretation, which can partly be explained by the competition of new and established concepts, and existing structures (legislation and routines of practice). Each case study made multifunctionality concrete by linking multiple values to it, although the amount of values and depth of consideration differs. We found interactions between policymakers themselves, as well with science and civil society, contributing to the mainstreaming of the concept.

ЗЕЛЁНАЯ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРА ГОРОДА

The paper considers one of the modern views on the formation of green areas of the city - the concept of "Green infrastructure". The article reveals the concept, main ideas, principles, tasks and advantages of green infrastructure. The purpose of the study is to assess the importance of developing a concept for the development of the green infrastructure of the city. The importance of the possibility of forming a strategy for the development of the green infrastructure of the city for the organization of a harmonious combination of urban and natural systems is considered. This will preserve the continuity of the green framework and ensure the accessibility of natural areas for the population. Recommendations are identified and proposed, the application of which will ensure the development and formation of urban green infrastructure, and will also contribute to the expedient use of land, ensuring the interconnectedness of green space systems that benefit people, nature and the economy. The plan for the formation of green infrastructure should be the first step in the planning process of urban development of settlements. It is concluded that the lack of a concept and strategy for the development of green infrastructure significantly reduces the efficiency of using the available material, technical and natural resources to create a favorable urban environment.

Prioritization of green infrastructure planning principles using analytic hierarchy process: The case of Addis Ababa

Green infrastructure planning is an innovative landscape and urban planning strategy that aims to achieve sustainable urban development. However, green infrastructure (GI) literature is vast and complex. Still, there is no consensus among scholars and experts regarding the concept of green infrastructure and its application approaches. Thus, evaluating and prioritizing the GI principles assists cities like Addis Ababa in adopting and implementing GI. Multicriteria decision analysis techniques, such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), provide a method for systematically integrating experts to establish priorities and make decisions. Consequently, the purpose of the study is to, first and foremost, evaluate GI principles and identify guiding principles for GI planning for Addis Ababa. Second, based on the first objective result, evaluate the incorporation of the GI planning principle into Addis Ababa's city planning documents, thereby indicating the city's path towards GI. The principles are weighed to determine which GI principle should precede GI planning in Addis Ababa. The AHP method was utilized to determine the urban planners' priorities regarding green infrastructure planning principles and their incorporation into planning documents. The findings indicate that multifunctionality has become the most important planning principle for developing green infrastructure. The second objective of this inquiry is to evaluate the incorporation of multifunctionality into Addis Ababa's GI planning documents. Eleven crucial documents were subjected to a content analysis tool that drew on both direct and indirect references within the texts. These documents were reviewed and analyzed using multifunctionality principles derived from the literature on green infrastructure. The document analysis revealed that the meanings of the terms green infrastructure and multifunctionality varied considerably between documents. Except in two documents, the term multifunctionality is not described directly; and in three documents not described explicitly nor implicitly. In addition, the document analysis revealed that the terms "green infrastructure" and "multifunctionality" varied significantly between documents. Despite the fact that experts and professionals identified multifunctionality as a priority principle for the city, there is no standard definition and common description throughout the documents. The results would aid policymakers, planners, and governments in trying to foster multifunctionality.

Using content and comparative analysis to contextualize the criteria for urban resiliency planning from international and US cities perspectives

This study focuses on how the term “urban resiliency” and other related terms are operationalized across spatial scales. The European Union and United Nations established international goals, targets, and the specific measurable indicators with both the European Green Deal and their 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address climate change, with overarching goals of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral continent. Much of this work to “green” cities falls under the concepts of urban resiliency, Green Infrastructure (GI), and ecosystem services (ES). This study seeks to understand the criteria considered for planning, development, implementation and maintenance urban resiliency at city and international levels. By contextualizing and clarifying broad terms like resiliency, ecosystem services, and Green Infrastructure for planners, politicians, and people within communities, our comparative analysis provides detailed understanding of the similarities and differences between plans from a national perspective, along with analysis of city-to-city comparisons. Our results suggest there are differences in focus regarding key aspects of resiliency, as well as the strategies suggested for resilient cities. Key differences were found in the importance placed on transportation, the future role of Green Infrastructure, and definitions of ecosystem services. These differences may have potential impacts on outcomes for resiliency project development and maintenance.

Peri-urban agrifood systems and a landscape project in the southern Mediterranean. The case of the urban agglomeration of Sousse (Tunisia)

Peri-urban agrifood systems are often subject to urban pressure and other territorial factors, which justifies a detailed study and analysis from multiple points of view. The main objective of this work is to analyze the periurban agri-food systems of the urban agglomeration of Sousse (Tunisia), one of the most important in the country, from a landscape perspective. This work adds to the literature on policies and strategies for the planning and development of Tunisian cities, which are currently facing several environmental and social challenges, of which climate change, food security and sustainable development are the most important. This research focuses, as mentioned above, on the case of the urban agglomeration of Sousse (Tunisia), where the concurrence of different factors (political, environmental, economic, etc.), together with clearly deficient regulations and uncontrolled urban development, is threatening the survival of a traditional, largely family-based agricultural model, based on a mixed or polyculture production system, with olive groves predominating. The latter is vital to ensure the economic maintenance of many families and to actively contribute to food security, with the consequent production of varied, fresh, and quality food. In this sense, we present a specific method that, based on the integrative and strategic significance of landscapes, and on the Landscape Character Assessment methodology, employs the so-called “landscape project” as a tool to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of peri-urban agriculture and to prevent the loss of a landscape heritage that has always been considered crucial for the identity of the local population. The document highlights the importance of the concept of green infrastructure, which, when properly integrated into land-use planning instruments, can contribute to enhancing local and sustainable agri-food systems. It also points out the need to promote Agricultural Parks, a protected status already recognized in Spain and other countries, as instruments for management, promotion, and development, and puts forward some specific proposals for the enhancement and activation of peri-urban agricultural landscapes in the Sousse conurbation. In relation to this last aspect, it insists on the need to modify the current forms of governance, which would require greater leadership and involvement of the main actors in peri-urban agriculture.

Testing the concept of green infrastructure at the Baltic Sea scale to support an ecosystem-based approach to management of marine areas

The concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) can facilitate integration of ecological considerations and ecosystem service mapping into spatial planning. GI has been introduced in EU policy as a key tool for implementing the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 on halting the loss of biodiversity as well as addressing other global environmental problems. Unlike terrestrial ecosystems, mapping of marine GI is still in infancy. Here, application of GI concept in mapping was developed and tested for a large marine region, the Baltic Sea, using existing regional spatial data sets on the distribution of different ecosystem components. Using a qualitative valuation approach, experts assessed 36 marine ecosystem components with respect to their relevance for six ecological value criteria and ten ecosystem services. Then, maps representing the ecological value of Baltic Sea ecosystems and their potential supply of ecosystem services were developed based on a hierarchical aggregation structure, designed to avoid double-counting of features that appeared in many data layers. Finally, results of the ecological value and ecosystem service supply mapping were integrated into the marine GI map. These pioneering results are used to discuss how marine GI mapping can support the ecosystem-based approach in MSP, by improving the knowledge base on the roles and connectedness of ecosystem components. Applied at the transboundary regional scale, as here, the GI concept can support cross-border coherence in spatial planning and provide practical management solutions to improve connectivity and functioning of MPA networks, or develop sustainable planning solutions of marine space.

CHALLENGES FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BRAZILIAN RESEARCHERS

The topic of Green Infrastructure (GI) has been debated with growing interest in Brazil as a tool to achieve more resilient cities, specially in terms of urban drainage and water supply. In Brazilian universities, the discussion was brought by professors influenced by the ideas of Ian McHarg expressed in his iconic work Design with Nature, which has recently had a new impulse after the publication of the studies from Mark Benedict and Edward McMahon. In 2019 there was a certain amount of Brazilian researches on the field of GI, but it is still difficult to apply and develop GI concepts in a tropical weather and with economically poor conditions. This article aims to bring advances and challenges GI studies are facing now in Brazil, from the perspective of the workshop entitled Rethinking the Green City, held in April 2019 in Brasilia, which promoted the meeting of 36 British and Brazilian researchers. The topics highlighted from the presentations and discussions from the workshop were: the weakness of the State to plan and provide solutions for water pollution, drainage and urban forms; the lack of awareness in general on the importance to incorporate the natural processes on planning strategies; and the need for strategies to change patterns (and thoughts) to incorporate GI concepts. Researchers have to figure out how to present GI in these conditions in the time to come.

Development of a cross-scale landscape infrastructure network guided by the new Jiangnan watertown urbanism: A case study of the ecological green integration demonstration zone in the Yangtze River Delta, China

• Landscape infrastructure is a socialecological-infrastructural system. • The landscape infrastructure network is a multiscalar and multifunctional network. • The New Jiangnan Watertown Urbanism combines productivity, livelihood and ecology. The Ecological Green Integration Demonstration Zone (EGIDZ) is in the Yangtze River Delta, one of the fastest growing regions in China. With ongoing rapid urbanization, the unique green–blue structure of water townships in the area has experienced severe human disturbance, which has resulted in habitat fragmentation, water pollution, ecosystem function decline, and biodiversity loss. The monofunctional municipal infrastructure lacks ecological efficacy, while the traditional concept of green infrastructure faces many limitations and adaptability in dealing with complex urban environments. In this context, we introduce the emerging concept of landscape infrastructure (LI), a soft engineered social-ecological-infrastructural system, as a wealth of inspiration and multiangle design solutions to address this challenge. As a performative structure medium, LI has the potential to incorporate all infrastructures (e.g., green and gray) across the spectrum of the urban territory. The study was carried out mainly through remote sensing and GIS technology. In the research process, (i) the ecological sources were identified based on morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and landscape connectivity, (ii) a resistance model, minimum ecological cost path, and gravity model were used to develop ecological corridors and the green infrastructure network, and (iii) green infrastructure networks were integrated with sociocultural factors to form hybrid multifunctional LI networks. The results mainly show that (i) the green infrastructure network layout is based on ecological sources, especially those extremely important and important cores, and they are mainly located in the western, northern, and central parts of the study area; (ii) the LI network was constructed based on the green infrastructure network by combining sociocultural factors, such as human flows, roads, factories and residential heatmaps; and (iii) through the combination of macroscale planning and microscale design, we propose a multiscale and multifunctional LI network in the EGIDZ. We then put forward a new development model of the New Jiangnan Watertown Urbanism, which consists of the 'Watertown unit' and 'Watertown cluster' that subsequently forms a resilient water-based robust and productive canvas of 'Productivity, Livelihood, and Ecology'. This research provides a basis for future explorations of the sustainable development of a new green–blue system and for context-responsive solutions to these wet and fertile lowlands.