Increase Of Green Areas Research Articles

Integral recovery of an urban watershed through the implementation of nature-based solutions

Unplanned urban expansion in Latin America has profoundly disturbed the natural hydrological processes of watersheds, particularly in tropical regions with extreme weather conditions. This has resulted in substantial runoff volumes, necessitating extensive engineering interventions to avoid damage. Urbanization has led not only to flooding problems, but also to a lack of recreational spaces for residents and an ecological degradation, negatively affecting the watersheds health. This study shows a methodology for creating scenarios making use of available sites for Nature-based-Solutions (NbS). Taking account of existing land cover, the methodology harnesses NbS multifunctionality to achieve hydrological, ecological and social benefits counteracting the threats to the health of a 23 km2 urban tropical watershed located in Costa Rica. In these scenarios, suitable public roads in residential areas were used as sites for implementing permeable pavement, bioretention cells, infiltration trenches and street planters, while appropriate flat roofs and car parks were converted into green roofs and permeable pavements in industrial areas. In addition, several green public spaces were transformed into multifunctional storage areas. Hydrological and hydraulic modeling was used to evaluate the performance of each scenario, while the increase in green area of each scenario was used as an indicator of the ecological and social benefits. The concurrent implementation of the residential, industrial and green space scenarios provides an area available for NbS of 165.3 ha (7.2% of the watershed area), potentially leading to a decrease of up to 63.7% in peak flow and up to 46.2% in runoff volume for a specific rainfall event. As haphazard urban growth is a common feature of most urban watersheds in Latin America, this methodology, based on the use of different land cover types to create scenarios for NbS implementation, is transferable to and adaptable for other tropical urban watersheds.

Study of sustainable development goals of Syrian higher education: strategy, effects and future insights

PurposeThis research mainly aims to shed light on sustainable development in Syrian higher education during the Syrian crisis.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, the authors mainly study sustainable development in the Syrian Arab Republic through the bibliometrics data of universities and research centres in Syrian Arab Republic, where these data are related to sustainable development. Also, the authors study the strategies used in the university with the largest research output of sustainable development in the Syrian Arab Republic. The authors extract research data arranged in sustainable development goals in the Syrian Arab Republic from SciVal database.FindingsBased on the bibliometric data on sustainable development research in the Syrian Arab Republic, the authors find that universities and research centres in the Syrian Arab Republic have taken important steps towards the goals of sustainable development, especially in the year 2022. The authors also find that the University of Damascus had the largest share in research related to the goals of sustainable development, and the authors find that this is due to the strategies taken by the University of Damascus towards the goals of sustainable development, such as the policy of digital transformation, the policy of recycling and the increase of green areas in the university.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to study the goals of sustainable development in Syrian higher education during the Syrian crisis period.

Analysis of the impact of green urban areas in historic fortified cities using Landsat historical series and Normalized Difference Indices

Urban green areas minimize the negative effects of climatic change and improve the sustainability of historic cities. Despite this, green areas have traditionally been considered a threat to heritage buildings because they cause humidity changes, that accelerate degradation processes. Within this context, this study evaluates the trends in the inclusion of green areas in historic cities and the effects it causes on humidity and conservation of earthen fortifications. To achieve this goal, vegetative and humidity information has been obtained since 1985 from Landsat satellite images. The historical series of images has been statistically analysed in Google Earth Engine to obtain maps that show the means, 25th, and 75th percentiles of the variations registered in the last 35 years. The results allow visualizing spatial patterns and plotting the seasonal and monthly variations. In the decision-making process, the proposed method allows to monitor whether the presence of vegetation is an environmental degradation agent in the nearby earthen fortifications.The analysis of the historic fortified cities of Seville and Niebla (Spain) shows a gradual increase in green areas and an interest in locating them near the earthen fortifications. The impact on the fortifications is specific to each type of vegetation and can be positive or negative. In general, the low humidity registered indicates low danger, and the presence of green areas favours drying after heavy rains. This study suggests that increasing green spaces to historic cities does not necessarily endanger the preservation of earthen fortifications. Instead, managing both heritage sites and urban green areas together can encourage outdoor cultural activities, reduce the impacts of climate change, and enhance the sustainability of historic cities.

Biovalley analysis as a LID control to delay surface runoff in the city of Recife/PE

Urban growth brought with it the formation of large impermeable areas in cities, causing a reduction in the infiltration of rainwater into the soil and an increase in the volume of surface runoff, causing setbacks on days of extreme precipitation events. In this context, the present research aimed to analyze the use of a biotaver as a Low Impact Development (LID) for delaying surface runoff in areas prone to flooding in the city of Recife/PE. As a methodology, the QGIS model was used to extract data from raster images, and the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) for scenario simulation. Three scenarios were simulated with rainfall of 20.00mm, 39.00mm and 60.00mm. The results showed that the implementation of the bioditches provided a reduction in the total flow of the study area by 0.50% and in the maximum flow of the SB1 sub-basin for scenarios 2 and 3 by 77.96% and 41.23% respectively. In addition, there was a reduction in surface runoff of 11.15% on average and an increase in green area of 4.00%. The bioretention system showed infiltration ranging from 29.83mm to 89.35mm between the three scenarios. Thus, through the SWMM model, it was possible to analyze that the implantation of bioditches as a control for delaying surface runoff and increasing infiltration into the soil is valid, and the literature recommended that various types of sustainable devices be implemented and integrated into the existing drainage network and urban space so that more expressive results are possible.

Impacts of Urban Shrinkage on Haze Pollution-Evidence from China

This study focuses on 55 shrinking cities selected by the urban shrinkage index using data about the urban population of 250 prefecture-level Chinese cities from 2012 to 2017. It analyzes the theoretical impacts of urban shrinkage on haze pollution and the spatial distribution and autocorrelation of urban shrinkage. The spatial error model (SEM) and the fully modified least squares (FMOLSs) regression are used to empirically examine the impacts of urban shrinkage on haze pollution at national and regional levels. The results indicate that shrinking cities showed spatial agglomeration and that northeast China had the largest number of shrinking cities. Nationwide, urban shrinkage reduced haze pollution. An increase in the proportion of secondary industries, economic development, and built-up areas intensified haze pollution, while an increase in the green area in parks alleviated such pollution. Regionally, except for west China, the impacts of urban shrinkage on haze pollution were significantly negative. Urban shrinkage in central China had the greatest impacts on haze, followed by northeast China and east China. Haze pollution was intensified by the increase in the proportion of secondary industries in east, central and west China, alleviated by economic development in east and west China, slowed down by the increase in green area in parks in northeast, east and west China, and aggravated by the rise in built-up areas in northeast, central, and west China. Targeted suggestions are proposed herein to reduce haze pollution, adapt to urban shrinkage and build quality small cities based on local conditions.

Drought risk and water resources assessment in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

Drought is a natural disaster that can influence all aspects of human life owing to its extensive and long-term implications. Global warming and rapid economic development have led to an increase in the drought risk. Meanwhile, rural communities are more drought-susceptible due to their greater closeness to nature and agriculture-based economies. Therefore, the scientific drought risk assessment and water resource utilization are of great significance. Drought risk refers to the potential losses from hazards imposed by drought events, which are a result of combined hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. This study focuses on drought risks in rural areas to provide references for risk assessment, disaster prevention, and water resource allocation. We chose the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (where is water-scarce and suffers severe drought disasters) as the study area. We used the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) to define the drought events and to extract the drought duration (D) and drought severity (S) according to the run theory. We also established three vulnerability curves based on the loss data, and assessed the risk of the primary industry, rural population, and cultivated areas, then superimposed it on the spatial distribution of water resources. The results indicated that Beijing has a high level of urbanization with a relatively low drought risk, and there are some high-risk areas in Tianjin and southeastern Hebei. Domestic water consumption is stable, and agricultural consumption has decreased. With the rapid increase in green areas in recent years, ecological water consumption has also increased. It has less water and a high-risk level of drought in southern areas. It is crucial to construct emergency water source projects for drought relief and make efficient use of limited water resources available.

Analysis of the vegetation condition on the area of the closed Babina mine in 1989-2019 using multispectral satellite images

Technical and biological treatments, aiming at granting or restoring use/natural values of lands degraded by mining operations, are carried out already at the stage of mining works and continue after the end of exploitation. As a result of these activities, area of plant cover increases and condition of vegetation in the former mineral extraction is improved. However, monitoring of post-mining areas in various regions of the world indicates that in the sites of former exploitation local degradation of vegetation may occur, despite the completion of the reclamation process. Adverse changes in flora can be caused for example by water penetrating deep into the ground through the system of underground pavements or their collapsing. The purpose of this publication is to present the changes in the condition of plant cover within the Pustkôw mining field, one of the four fields of the closed lignite “Friendship of Nations - Babina Shaft” mine. The analysis of variation in the state of the plant cover health was carried out for the period of 1989-2019 based on NDVI, EVI and GNDVI spectral indices, developed using multispectral images of the Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI missions. The obtained results provide information about systematic improvement of the flora condition in the analysed region and indicate an increase in green areas. In 1989-2019, overgrowing of the shorelines of anthropogenic lakes and heaps was observed, as well as reservoir with a decreasing surface area due to vegetation succession was identified. In 2016, local degradation of the plant cover was also observed in the north-western part of the Pustków field. The obtained results prove the necessity of continuous monitoring of the flora health in the area of the analysed mine, but also in other post-mining areas.

Determining land use influences on the hydrologic regime of the Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand

Water flows and yields in the Chao Phraya River Basin (CPRB) of Thailand were predicted using a soil and water assessment tool model. Three land use change scenarios (SC1–SC3) were simulated to investigate their influences on mean monthly water yields across the 13 sub-basins in the CPRB. The results showed that the changes in water yields in most sub-basins were 0–10%. The high increase in paddy fields but decrease in other agricultural areas in SC1 (90% paddy fields and 10% forestry areas) and SC2 (70% paddy fields, 20% other agricultural areas, and 10% forestry areas) showed a combined influence on the increase in water yields at sub-basin 7. The change was 19.2–57.3% in SC1, 13.9–32.5% in SC2, but a little (0.1–2.1%) in SC3 (40% paddy fields, 50% other agricultural areas, and 10% forestry areas). However, the changing areas of paddy fields contributed to unclear patterns of water yields in the remaining sub-basins; where paddy fields might rely mainly on irrigated water, not rainwater, which is a major source of water yields. The increase in urban and built-up areas showed varied influences on the increase (as the result of precipitation) or decrease (due to specific measures, e.g., increase of green areas or excavation of river channels) in water yields in the river basin. These findings are useful for improving the relevant management measures for the river basin.

Ilhas de calor urbano em Montes Claros – MG

O objetivo desse trabalho é analisar a distribuição espacial das Ilhas de Calor na Cidade de Montes Claros – MG. A escolha dessa área se justifica pelo crescimento populacional e a expansão urbana que a mesma vem passando nos últimos anos. Para execução desse trabalho, dotou do uso de técnicas de sensoriamento remoto para modelagem térmica e índices de comprimentos de onda. Foram utilizados os produtos orbitais dos satélites Landsat 5 e 8 (sensores TM e OLI/TIRS, respectivamente) referentes às datas: 28/08/1985 e 18/09/2016. Os resultados mostraram que a distribuição espacial das Ilhas de Calor está relacionada as alterações na ocupação e uso do solo urbano, variando em escala espaço-temporal, apresentando intensificação nas regiões centrais para as anomalias positivas, e nas bordas apresentam aumento das distribuições de anomalias negativas, sendo essas correlatas ao incremento de áreas verdes em condomínios de alto padrão. A elevada de temperatura de superfície possui relação proporcional com o NDBI e inversamente com o NDVI, considerando as características da cobertura do solo. Esse estudo se mostra como instrumento de planejamento urbano, sobretudo considerando os aspectos de uso e ocupação do solo para com efeitos no âmbito meteorológico e climatológico, haja vista que estes elementos são essenciais para o bem estar humano.

Contribution of Roof Refurbishment to Urban Sustainability

Achieving sustainable urban environments is a challenging goal—especially in existing cities with high percentages of old and obsolete buildings. This work analyzes the contribution of roof refurbishment to sustainability, considering that most roofs are currently underused. Many potential benefits of refurbishment can be achieved, such as the improvement of the energy performance of the buildings and the use of a wasted space for increasing green areas or for social purposes. In order to estimate the degree of the improvement, a vulnerable area in Castellón (east Spain) was selected as a case study. A thorough analysis of the residential building stock was undertaken. Using georeferenced information from the Cadastral Office we classified them according to typology, year of construction and roof type. Some refurbishment solutions were proposed and their applicability to the actual buildings was analyzed under different criteria. The theoretical benefits obtained in the neighborhood such as energy and carbon emissions savings were evaluated, together with the increase of green areas. Moreover, other social uses were suggested for neglected urban spaces in the area. Finally, a more accurate analysis was performed combining different solutions in a specific building, according to its particular characteristics.

Surface temperature analysis of conventional roof and different use forms of the green roof

Increasing urban populations raises a number of problems and risks that are strengthened by observed and projected climate change. An increase in green areas (so-called green infrastructure) has turned out to be an effective means of lowering temperature in the city. Green roofs can be one of the possible measures leading to achieving this aim. The aim of the study was the analysis of temperature changes of different roof surfaces (conventional roof, board, intensive roof substrate without plant cover, substrate covered with plants (shrubs). Studies on comparing the temperature between a conventional roof and green roofs were carried out in the period from April to September 2015 on the roof of the building of the Faculty of Modern Languages, University of Warsaw. The measurement was performed using the FLIR SC620 thermal imaging system. As a result of the tests, it was found that in the summer months the differences between the temperature of the green roof and the conventional roof amounted to a maximum of 31.3°C. The obtained results showed that the roof with vegetation can signifi cantly contribute to the mitigation of the urban heat island phenomenon in urban areas during summer periods.

AIR TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE MOISTURE OSCILLATIONS IN RECIFE – PE

The objective of this study was to study temperature variability and relative humidity, comparing the 1962-1990 and 1991-2016 periods with the averages of 1931-2016 and 1962-2016, respectively, with the aim of quantifying climate change and identifying the influence Of large-scale El Niño events, aiming to contribute to the managers responsible for urban planning and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants and the ecosystem. Air temperature and relative humidity data provided by the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) were used. Basic statistical parameters were calculated as: mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variance, variations of annual anomalies in order to identify buoyancy in the data and the influence of extreme events. The city of Recife suffered from disorderly growth, with no specific patterns of planning in urbanization that caused variations in the microclimate of the urbis, causing thermal discomfort and reducing the quality of life of its inhabitants. There is intense flow of automotive vehicles and people throughout the day due to activities related to work, commerce and services, as well as the concentration of various buildings, waterproofed areas as well as buildings, making the local air circulation difficult. It is suggested an increase in green areas from the afforestation that has been shown as an alternative to improve the quality of life in urban spaces.

Simulating the Hydrological Impact of Green Roof Use and an Increase in Green Areas in an Urban Catchment with i-Tree: A Case Study with the Town of Fontibón in Bogotá, Colombia

Urbanization has produced various social, environmental, and hydrological impacts, such as reduced biodiversity, increased urban temperatures, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution, changes to hydrological processes, groundwater recharge alterations, increased prevalence of floods, vegetation removal, and potential increases in unstable soils. Finding solutions to mitigate the impacts of urbanization is of vital importance in the development and planning of cities, and particularly so for developing countries. One strategy gaining momentum is the use of green roofs and larger green areas (greater green cover under trees, with the purpose of increasing the permeable area) for runoff control. In this study, a simulation was carried out using the i-Tree Hydro software that involved the urban basin in the Fontibón area of Bogotá, Colombia, with the aim of observing the hydrological benefits of trees, green areas, and permeable zones. Five scenarios were proposed in which green roof coverage was implemented (20% and 50% increases in green areas in Scenarios 1 and 2), coverage under existing trees was enhanced (50% and 100% increase in Scenarios 4 and 5), and finally a complete removal of green zones in Fontibón was simulated (Scenario 3). The town is relatively susceptible to a reduction in its existing green areas, with an increase in total flow of more than 50% for one scenario considered. Thus, an increase in the permeable coverage under trees (50% and 100% increased coverage under existing trees) provided the best strategy for mitigating the impacts of urbanization by reducing the total, maximum, and average impervious flow by 3%, 4%, and 8%, respectively. Finally, an increase in permeable zones corresponding to plants was proposed via the implementation of green roofs. However, this strategy showed a response to the reduction in the lowest total flow at 1%.

Changing Climate Patterns and Women Health: An Empirical Analysis of District Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Climate change, the greatest environmental challenge of current era, affects human health badly. Natural hazards such as storms, droughts, excessive rains, floods, droughts and increasing temperature always threaten human health. South Asian rural women bear more household responsibilities than men in terms of fetching water and burning biomass fuel for cooking and heating. To obtain these resources women have to go out and are more exposed to outdoor environment and the increased exposure make them more amenable to the effects of changing climatic and weather patterns. The objective of this study is to document women health impacts under climate change in District Rawalpindi, Pakistan. We find that climate change increases the incidence of diseases which affect physical health. In developing countries, extreme weather patterns disproportionally affect vulnerable population like women, children and others bear burden of illness. Pakistan also faces heat waves fluctuation during summer and extreme rainfall pattern which have severe effect on overall health of individuals. We conclude that climatic changes (increasing heat intensity, dry spells, unusual rains and others) affect women health badly. The state has to improve our climate by offering effective policies. This may include reforestation, plantation in and outside homes and environmental friendly policies like renewable energy that is a shift from coal and oil investing energy projects. Increase of green areas within urban localities is also needed.

Insolação, radiação solar global e radiação líquida no Brasil

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a distribuição espacial e temporal da insolação, radiação solar global e radiação líquida no Brasil, bem como o potencial regional do país em relação a esses elementos climáticos. Mapas mensais e anuais, gerados a partir de dados medidos e estimados de 204 estações meteorológicas distribuídas por todo o território brasileiro, bem como diagramas temporo-espaciais, derivados de transectos escolhidos nas direções sul-norte e oeste- -leste, permitiram representar as tendências das variações dos elementos climáticos estudados e sua relação com atributos regionais. Na elaboração dos mapas foram considerados aspectos geográficos (vegetação, hidrografia, orografia e geomorfologia) e climáticos (nebulosidade e chuva). Na ausência de dados de radiação solar global medidos, empregou-se a equação de ANGSTRÖM de 1924, que utiliza dados de insolação. A estimativa do balanço de radiação (radiação líquida) foi realizada a partir da fórmula estabelecida por LINACRE de 1967. Na região norte, a insolação é menor nas áreas com maiores totais de precipitação, como a foz do Rio Amazonas e o estado do Amapá. A radiação solar global apresenta valores altos e pouca variação, devido à transmissividade elevada da atmosfera. Em virtude da uniformidade do relevo e albedo, a radiação líquida apresenta também valores elevados. No Nordeste, os valores elevados de insolação são explicados pela baixa nebulosidade, principalmente no sertão. Os máximos de radiação líquida ocorrem no litoral. Na região centro-oeste, nas áreas onde ocorre maior quantidade de precipitação, os valores de insolação são baixos. A radiação global e radiação líquida apresentam quantidades semelhantes àquelas da região norte. No sudeste brasileiro, a distribuição da insolação é condicionada aos fatores relevo, nebulosidade e precipitação. A radiação global e a radiação líquida distribuem-se mais irregularmente devido também à nebulosidade, como é o caso da bacia do Rio Doce, onde os valores são mais baixos. Para a radiação líquida também deve ser considerado o albedo, que varia conforme o uso da terra. Na região sul, todos os elementos sofrem o efeito orográfico, que produz um gradiente no sentido do litoral para o interior. A partir da distribuição espacial da insolação, radiação global e radiação líquida pode-se verificar a potencialidade do Brasil quanto à energia solar, nos aspectos qualitativo, quantitativo e consuntivo. Esta pesquisa pode servir de subsídio para o planejamento agrícola, no que diz respeito ao estabelecimento do zoneamento agroclimático e previsão de safras, e para o planejamento urbano, na melhor adequação do balanço de radiação, levando em consideração a ordenação do crescimento vertical e incremento de áreas verdes.

Woody trees, green space and park size improve avian biodiversity in urban landscapes of Peninsular Malaysia

Rapid urbanization in major cities has adversely affected avian biodiversity in both developed and developing countries. Due to over-urbanization and little regard for nature conservation, such cities are usually characterized by poor biodiversity. In contrast to central business district areas, suburbs may support greater levels of biodiversity through an increase in green areas. We examined urban bird species richness, abundance, and composition in Klang Valley, Peninsular Malaysia. We surveyed 141 points for passerines across 80 parks grouped into two different urban zones, namely central business districts and suburbs. Our results revealed that bird richness did not differ significantly (p=0.994) between central business districts and the suburbs. We found that the abundances of birds were significantly greater in the suburbs than in central business districts. However, species composition was similar between the central business districts and suburbs. We also found that bird richness increased significantly with an increase in size of green areas and park areas, as well as the number of woody trees in both zones. Evidence from this study suggests that creating urban parks and gardens, coupled with tree planting in central business districts, is able to support greater biodiversity, at least for birds in cities similar to those found in the suburbs.

Brazilian sugarcane sector: an economic and environmental approach

The Brazilian sugarcane industry constitutes a main player in the domestic economic environment and more specifically in the state of Sao Paulo. In this sense, engendering an economic and environmental analysis of the Sao Paulo sugarcane industry, and to identify possible points of conflict between the expansion of crop area and environmental conservation, constitutes the main objective of this essay. Using a combined approach with descriptive purposes, it was precede unstructured interview with technical manager of the Rural Association of Growers and Sugarcane Suppliers of Sorocaba region, primary documentary evidence obtained from the entity and secondary data from various official sources. The results showed that reduction in the number of agro-industrial units due to the strong economic crisis now facing the sector. However, the expansion of cultivation area has increased and, in parallel, the industry has been engaged in environmental conservation, especially with the increase of green areas, protection of water sources and reduced water consumption in the production process.

ESTRATÉGIAS BIOCLIMÁTICAS EM AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO TÉRMICO NAS HABITAÇÕES DE INTERESSE SOCIAL EM SINOP/MT

This research aims to compare the recommendations proposed by the NBR 15220 and by the Fuzzy Mahoney’s Method with what has been implemented in Sinop/MT and, thereby, verify the reach of the bioclimatic strategies in social housing projects in this city. The adopted methodology consisted of verifying the characteristics related to the dimensions and the materials employed in low cost housing executed in the city. For this, three units of residential buildings single-family from three different housing constructions were objects of study. The results demonstrate that these units are not executed with a view to thermal comfort. Only one of the recommendations contained in the methods adopted was fully met, in only two of the three residences evaluated. There is a clear need for adoption of wider openings in the buildings, better orientation and distribution of land occupation, besides the increase of green areas in them.

Relationship between temperature and the early growth ofTriticum aestivumand three weed species

Abstract Experiments were conducted in controlled environments and in the field on winter-hardy Triticum aestivum and three weed species commonly found in cereal fields in the United Kingdom to examine whether overwinter shoot growth of individual plants could be described by accumulated thermal time calculated using base temperatures derived from growth cabinets. Individuals of each species were grown in a controlled environment at constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 20 C and harvested sequentially. Base temperatures for the increase of dry weight and green area were estimated by fitting a simple linear model describing growth in response to the thermal sum. The estimated base temperatures for shoot dry matter accumulation of Alopecurus myosuroides, Stellaria media, Galium aparine, and T. aestivum were −0.8, −3.3, −1.4, and 0.2 C, respectively, and estimated base temperatures for increase in green area were 0.4, −1.7, 1.9, and 2.2 C, respectively. Each species also was grown in monoculture in the fie...