Green Infrastructure Research Articles

Should we value rain harvesting more in Türkiye for mitigating precipitation extremes

Mitigating precipitation extremes is a major issue due to destructive global warming and climate change. Heavy rainfall and drought have posed a threat to human life and ecology. That said, new strategies and new action plans are needed at local and global levels through needed cooperation from different stakeholders to handle the possible risks associated with precipitation extremes. Turkey has become one of the most vulnerable countries involved in climate change due to its geographical location, rapid urbanization, and deforestation. Many forests have been destroyed to make room for agriculture, animal grazing as well as for manufacturing and construction. The impact has caused complications in landscapes. Precipitation extremes, such as heavy rainfalls and drought, are posing significant threats for many cities in Turkey. In recent years Turkey has faced a large number of extreme events regarding precipitation. In this line, the present study aims to explore the potential benefits of rainwater harvesting (RHH) in mitigating precipitation extremes by overviewing regulatory actions of rainwater harvesting and best practices worldwide. In addition an interview-based survey was conducted with domain experts in the water management field to better understand the current challenges of stormwater management in Turkey and discuss the role of rainwater harvesting against precipitation extremes. The results of the study have shown that Turkey has several problems with infrastructure to mitigate precipitation extremes, such as shortcomings in capacity and old water management systems, unseparated water collection and sewage systems, and lack of green infrastructure. In addition to urbanization, expansion in industry and tourism may cause water unavailability. The study has also indicated that many authorities around the globe try to boost RWH use by stipulating or encouraging RWH through incentives to save a large amount of water by implementing different projects. This research has argued that RWH promises several benefits thanks to its cost-effectiveness and contribution to water storage. Therefore, this study has recommended that policymakers should take immediate action against precipitation extremes by introducing new regulations, such as mandating rainwater harvesting for old buildings, industrial and touristic places. Preparing new guidelines and applying rooftop RWH systems that comply with Building Code requirements should also be considered for the widespread use of rainwater in rural and urban areas.

Lateral capacity of group helical piles in sand: an experimental and numerical study for sustainable infrastructures

ABSTRACT Helical piles are integral to support resilient infrastructures subjected to axial and lateral loads. This study explored model-scale testing of group helical piles in cohesionless soil in a rigid box. Initially, a total load of 5000 N is applied to the pile raft model, followed by a lateral load of 1600 N. Nine model tests are performed with a configuration of four, six, and nine, having conventional, single helical, and double helical piles. The data logger facilitated data collection using MATLAB software, and the load was increased at rate of approximately 4.9N/sec. The computed average reduction in the displacement of Single and Double Helical Pile Rafts is observed as 36.43% and 55.71%, respectively, compared to Conventional Pile Rafts. The addition of a second helix further reduced lateral displacement by 19.27%. Numerical analysis on Plaxis-3d showed that the experimental and numerical results are in good agreement.

Electric Vehicle Battery Remanufacturing: Circular Economy Leadership and Workforce Development

Given the increasing momentum globally towards sustainable transportation, the remanufacturing of used electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries (EV LIBs) emerges as a critical opportunity to promote the principles of the circular economy. Existing research highlights the significance of remanufacturing in resource conservation and waste reduction. Nevertheless, detailed insights into South Africa’s (SA’s) specific capabilities and strategic approaches in the context of used EV LIBs remain sparse. By utilizing in-depth interviews with fifteen key industry stakeholders and drawing on institutional theory, this qualitative study evaluates SA’s infrastructure, technical expertise, and regulatory frameworks in the EV LIB remanufacturing sector to address this gap. The findings reveal proactive strategies, including technical expertise, sustainable infrastructure, and robust regulatory frameworks aligned with global standards. This study proposes strategic initiatives like the Interdisciplinary Innovation Hub and Mobile Remanufacturing Labs, which are analytically derived from stakeholder insights and aim to predict potential pathways for workforce development, especially in rural areas. Innovative training programs, including the Virtual Reality Consortium, Circular Economy Institutes, and the Real-world Challenges Program, will ensure a skilled workforce committed to sustainability and circular economy principles. The conclusions highlight SA’s potential to become a leader in EV LIB remanufacturing by integrating circular economy principles, enhancing technical expertise, and fostering international collaboration.

Enhancing water management and urban flood resilience using Hazard Capacity Factor Design (HCFD) model: Case study of Eco-Delta city, Busan

This study evaluated future climate scenarios and the changes in urban flood resistance capacity in Busan Eco-Delta City using the hazard capacity factor design (HCFD) model. It analyzed the flood reduction effects of both gray and green infrastructure. Despite existing flood safety systems, there is a growing need to enhance urban flood resilience due to increasing heavy rainfall, unpredictable precipitation, and frequent typhoons driven by climate change. The HCFD model predicted urban flood volumes of Busan Eco-Delta City and analyzed the effectiveness of gray and green infrastructure in flood control. A stormwater management model (SWMM) simulated urban flood resistance capacity under the SSP1–2.6 climate change scenario. Results indicate that for an anticipated 500 mm rainfall over 3 h, green infrastructure can mitigate floods by 9 % to 17.6 %, while gray infrastructure can reduce flooding by 24 % to 32.1 %. The integration of gray and green infrastructure leads to an overall flood mitigation ranging from 47.1 % to 63.3 %. A notable contribution of this research is its predictive analysis of future flood scenarios using model-based scenario analysis and decision support algorithms, offering valuable insights into changes in urban flood resistance capacity and strategies for effective flood control decision-making.

Vertical distribution and migration of heavy metals in soil of green stormwater infrastructure receiving roof runoff

In order to achieve effective management of urban stormwater runoff, green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) has been widely used worldwide. However, the problem of heavy metal contamination in GSI soils has gradually become a limiting factor for their development. In this paper, concentrations of 6 heavy metals were detected in soils from 0 to 80 cm depth in the GSI receiving roof runoff. The total concentration of the 6 heavy metals in topsoil of the GSI was 395 mg·kg−1, which was significantly higher than that of the control site (p < 0.01). Vertically, heavy metal concentrations in GSI soils decreased with depth. The concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the soils at different depths (0–80 cm) of GSI were higher than those in the soils at the corresponding depths at the control site. This suggests that heavy metals may have migrated below 80 cm. The decrease in Zn/Cu ratios with depth indicated that Zn has a higher initial concentration and more of Zn accumulated in upper layer soil than Cu. Finally, we simulated the vertical migration of dissolved heavy metals in GSI soils by the Hydrus-1D model. Heavy metal concentrations in runoff and soil particle size distributions were examined, while adsorption isotherm experiments were conducted to determine input parameters for the model. The simulation results showed that only dissolved Zn would accumulate in the top soil layer. A short time of infiltration (<60 min) may have little effect on the profile shape of dissolved heavy metal levels in the soil. Substantial increases in infiltration may result in the migration of dissolved heavy metals to deeper depths in the soil.

Green Infrastructure as a Sustainability Strategy for Biodiversity Preservation: The Case Study of Pantanos de Villa, Lima, Peru

Currently, the lack of adequate spaces for raising awareness among the population, coupled with disorderly urban growth, has led to an increase in water pollution from solid waste and the disruption of natural habitats in Villa Marshes. Therefore, this research focuses on implementing green corridors for the study of birdlife and environmental education, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of preserving this ecosystem. Various methodologies were employed, including climate analysis, characterization of flora and fauna, and bioclimatic design strategies supported by specialized software. The feasibility of this proposal was compared with other similar projects, emphasizing community importance. As a result, a network of green corridors was designed, including environmental education and visitor centers, along with the implementation of renewable energies to enhance energy efficiency. The main conclusion is that integrating renewable energies into the conservation of Villa Marshes offers a unique opportunity to promote a balance between human development and environmental protection.

The Impact of Climate Variability on the Blooming of Fraxinus ornus ‘Globosa’ as a Component of Novi Sad’s (Serbia) Green Infrastructure

The Impact of Climate Variability on the Blooming of Fraxinus ornus ‘Globosa’ as a Component of Novi Sad’s (Serbia) Green Infrastructure

Influence of axial compression on a steel tubular stub column filled with reinforced concrete for sustainable infrastructure

Influence of axial compression on a steel tubular stub column filled with reinforced concrete for sustainable infrastructure

The Structural Behavior of Lightweight Self-Compacting Concrete Slabs Using Different Types of Reinforcement

The purpose of this study is to examine how the type of reinforcement used in self-compacting concrete (SCC) and lightweight self-compacting concrete (LWSCC) affects their structural behavior. There were three forms of reinforcement used: wire mesh, glass fiber-reinforced rebars, and regular steel rebars. To evaluate the mechanical characteristics of reinforced concrete slabs with various types of reinforcement, extensive experiments were carried out. The tensile strength, stiffness, and crack resistance of the concrete were studied in each case. The finite element program Abaqus was utilized in addition to the experimental investigations to create the numerical simulation of the test. The experimental results revealed that the reinforcement type significantly affects the structural behavior of SCC and LWSCC slabs. Conventional steel rebars provided high tensile strength and excellent crack resistance, while glass fiber-reinforced rebars contributed to enhanced flexibility and reduced overall weight of the concrete. On the other hand, the wire mesh exhibited average mechanical and structural properties. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting the appropriate reinforcement type based on specific applications and desired performance requirements. This research provides valuable guidance for architects and civil engineers in choosing optimal reinforcement for SCC and LWSCC. Furthermore, it can contribute to the advancement of techniques and potential improvements in these materials to achieve better performance and enhance sustainability in infrastructure and building construction. From the practical results, it was found that in the case of using lightweight self-compacting concrete and self-compacting concrete, it is preferable to reinforce it with ordinary reinforcement steel, as it gives the best results in terms of maximum load capacity at failure. Although the use of steel reinforcement in self-compacting concrete also gives the best results, but from the laboratory results it is possible to improve the performance of self-compacting concrete by reinforcing it with GFRP or welded wire mesh.

Hybrid intelligent algorithm aided energy consumption optimization in smart grid systems with edge computing

The rapid proliferation of smart grid systems necessitates efficient management of energy resources, particularly in the context of mobile edge computing (MEC) networks. This paper presents a novel approach to optimize the energy consumption in smart grid systems with the integration of edge computing, employing a hybrid intelligent algorithm (HIA) empowered by particle swarm optimization (PSO). The primary objective is to enhance the sustainability and operational efficiency of smart grid infrastructures by minimizing the energy consumption in the MEC networks. The proposed HIA utilizes PSO to dynamically allocate computational tasks and manage resources among edge devices based on real-time demand fluctuations. This adaptive approach aims to achieve the optimal load balancing and energy efficiency across the smart grid ecosystem. By leveraging the PSO’s ability to iteratively refine solutions and adapt to changing environmental conditions, the algorithm optimizes the energy consumption while maintaining requisite service levels and reliability. Simulation experiments and case studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed PSO-based HIA in reducing the energy consumption without compromising system other performances. The results demonstrate substantial improvements in the energy efficiency, illustrating the feasibility and benefits of employing intelligent algorithms tailored for edge computing environments within smart grid systems. This research contributes to advancing sustainable smart grid technologies by introducing a robust framework for energy optimization through hybrid intelligent algorithms.

More Than Just a Vision: Confronting the Practical Barriers in Fostering Sustainable Government-Academic Data Infrastructures (Preprint)

More Than Just a Vision: Confronting the Practical Barriers in Fostering Sustainable Government-Academic Data Infrastructures (Preprint)

Warming reality of Kozhikode Urban Area: Uncovering the heat of built-up expansion and vegetation loss

Urban expansion often comes at the expense of natural landscapes, leading to increased temperatures and environmental degradation. This study examines the effects of urbanization on land cover changes and their implications for land surface temperature (LST) by analyzing normalized difference satellite indices in the Kozhikode Urban Area (KUA), a city where substantial urbanization has significantly impacted the natural environment. By investigating changes in vegetation and impervious surfaces from 1993 to 2022, the research highlights a troubling trend: while vegetation cover has sharply declined, impermeable surfaces like roads and buildings have surged, contributing to a dramatic rise in average temperatures. The study reveals that built-up areas significantly elevate LST, whereas vegetation and water bodies offer cooling effects. The results underscore the urgent need for integrating green infrastructure into urban planning to combat rising temperatures and enhance environmental sustainability. This research emphasizes the importance of considering smaller, vegetation-rich cities like Kozhikode in broader urban heat research, as they present unique challenges and opportunities for effective climate adaptation strategies. By highlighting these issues, this study aims to inform policymakers and urban planners about the critical role of urban greening in mitigating the effects of climate change and fostering sustainable urban environments.

Impact of green bond issues on Euronext firms’ stock abnormal returns

Climate change is forcing countries to take strategic measures to reduce the negative impact on future generations. In this context, sustainable finance has played a key role in sustainable development since the establishment of environmental, social and governance principles. The underlying market has developed rapidly since its inception, with green bonds being the most prominent instrument. This article aims to study the impact of green bond issues on the abnormal stock returns of stocks listed on the main Euronext indices. The sample includes 58 issues carried out between 2014 and 2022 by 21 different firms listed on the AEX (Netherlands), BEL 20 (Belgium), CAC 40 (France), ISEQ 20 (Ireland), OBX (Norway) and PSI (Portugal) indices. The methodology follows the procedures of the event study using the market model. The results show significant positive stock price reaction on the issue date. After the abnormal losses just before the issues, suggesting the reserves of this consolidating market, abnormal gains persisted for over a week, providing evidence against the weak efficiency Euronext’s financial markets. The findings are useful for policy makers and entrepreneurs to promote innovative initiatives that encourage the financing and development of environmentally sustainable infrastructures.

Innovations in recycled construction materials: paving the way towards sustainable road infrastructure

The expansive development of infrastructure has led to increased consumption of virgin aggregates in road construction, resulting in significant environmental impacts. To address this issue, there is a pressing need for sustainable alternatives that utilize recycled materials in pavement applications. This paper presents a comprehensive review of a decade-long research program focused on the development and evaluation of sustainable pavement materials, such as recycled and waste aggregates, industrial by-products, and natural fibers. The research encompassed a wide range of innovative materials and technologies, such as geopolymer-stabilized recycled aggregates, cement-stabilized waste materials, natural additive-modified cement stabilization, and recycled aggregate-geogrid reinforcement systems. The experimental framework employed a combination of mechanical testing, durability assessment, microstructural analysis, and environmental safety evaluation to assess the performance and sustainability of these materials. The key findings demonstrated the superior mechanical properties, improved durability, and environmental suitability of the recycled materials compared to conventional virgin aggregates. The successful implementation of these sustainable solutions in real-world projects highlights their potential to reduce the environmental footprint of road infrastructure development. Furthermore, the paper discussed the practical implications of the research outcomes for pavement design and construction, as well as future research directions to further advance the field of sustainable pavement engineering. The findings of this research report can be used as guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to upcycle the widespread adoption of recycled materials in road application and contribute to the development of a more sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure.

Influence of field aging on viscoelastoplastic performance of rubberized asphalt mixtures incorporating reclaimed asphalt pavement in arid urban climate

This study investigates the effects of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and crumb rubber-modified asphalt (CRMA) on the viscoelastoplastic properties of asphalt mixtures under a range of aging conditions. Six asphalt mixtures, with varying RAP contents (0 %, 30 %, and 50 %) and CRMA modifications, were evaluated through dynamic modulus (|E*|) and flow number (FN) analyses. The specimens were subjected to authentic field-aging conditions for periods of 0, 3, 6, and 9 months. The results reveal that increasing RAP content enhances volumetric properties, Marshall stability, and rutting resistance. CRMA significantly improves fatigue performance and further bolsters rutting resistance, although some detrimental effects are observed at lower temperatures. Aging has a pronounced impact on the mixtures’ performance, particularly on |E*|, Prony series coefficients, viscoelastic strain (εve), and viscoplastic strain (εvp). Newly proposed aging indices, the dynamic modulus aging index (DMAI) and viscoplastic aging index (VPAI), effectively capture the changes in viscoelastoplastic behavior under different aging durations. These findings underscore the potential of RAP and CRMA to enhance pavement durability, prolong service life, and contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The research offers valuable insights into the performance of asphalt mixtures incorporating RAP and CRMA under real-world conditions.

Multi-objective optimization of distributed green infrastructure for effective stormwater management in space-constrained highly urbanized areas

Green infrastructure (GI) is essential for stormwater management, but its implementation in highly urbanized areas is challenging due to the limited space available for GI retrofitting. There is a lack of comprehensive evaluations that assess the spatial adaptability, functionality, and cost-benefit of various GI measures, and optimize their placement to achieve the maximum reduction rate of total runoff (RTR) and reduction rate of pollution load (RPL) while minimizing life cycle cost (LCC) in space-constrained highly urbanized areas (SCHUA). To address this issue, a novel concept of infiltration, retention, and storage integrated GI (IRS-GI) for SCHUA was proposed, and a framework coupling the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) with multi-objective optimization algorithms was developed to determine the optimal IRS-GI layout, focusing on the objectives of RTR, RPL, and LCC. The impacts of different GI type, size, and location, rainfall return periods, and algorithms (NSGA-II and NSGA-III) were then examined. The results showed that IRS-GI could achieve satisfactory RTR and RPL results while single-type GI may struggle to meet requirements. Optimization outcomes were significantly influenced by rainfall return periods, with cost-benefit decreasing as return periods increasing. Besides, the optimization results of NSGA-II and NSGA-III showed differences, and the comprehensive Pareto frontier obtained by reapplying non-dominated sorting could achieve more comprehensive results for determining the optimal IRS-GI configuration. Under the urban drainage design standard, the optimal IRS-GI layout, covering 32.97 % of the green spaces, 38.57 % of the rooftop, and 60.98 % of the ordinary roads and squares, respectively, could achieve a RTR of 50.09 %, RPL of 57.00 %, and LCC of 0.79 × 108 CNY/yr. Additionally, the optimal configuration suggested that a higher proportion of GI downstream of drainage system may contribute to better cost-benefit, emphasizing the need for location-specific GI solutions. This research offers valuable insights for optimizing GI in SCHUA, advancing sustainable urban stormwater management.

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.

Well-planned greenery improves air urban quality - Modelling the effect of altered airflow and pollutant deposition

Urban air quality is influenced by vegetation through alterations in airflow and pollutant deposition processes. We investigated these interactions by integrating the Vegetation Impact Dynamic Assessment model (VIDA) with the Large-Eddy Simulation model PALM. Our analysis focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM) concentrations at the local scale, considering three tree genera. Our findings reveal the necessity of accounting for both gaseous pollutants and particles separately due to their differing mechanisms of deposition onto leaves. The coupled PALM-VIDA model demonstrates a significant reduction in PM levels across the modelling domain and within street canyons when deposition to vegetation is incorporated. Reduction in NO₂ through deposition to vegetation is lower but human NO2 exposure can still be decreased if tree species selection and placement leads to desirable effects on air flow. Sparse tree arrangements or species with sparse crowns facilitate ventilation and are often better at reducing NO₂ concentrations in street canyons compared to denser vegetation with higher deposition but negative effects on ventilation. Our study informs urban planning and green infrastructure design, underscoring the multifaceted role of urban greenery in air pollution mitigation strategies. Its main conclusion is that both deposition processes and the influence of air mixing and ventilation need to be considered to accurately assess the effects of urban trees on local air quality. Ill-considered placement and species selection may cause a net increase in pollutants underneath the trees. However, careful planning can address this risk and instead improve overall air quality.

Quantitative assessment of Hurricane Ian’s damage on urban vegetation dynamics utilizing Landsat 9 in Fort Myers, Florida

Florida’s unique climatic and geographical features have profoundly influenced its hurricane history. This study quantitatively examines the effects of Hurricane Ian on urban vegetation in Fort Myers, Florida, using remote sensing data. We analyzed pre- and post-hurricane vegetation indices, including NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), ARVI (Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index), and SAVI (Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index). Our findings reveal varied spatial impacts, with NDVI changes ranging from −0.03 to 0.333, ARVI changes from −0.016 to 0.25, and SAVI changes from −0.04 to 0.5. Negative values indicate vegetation damage, while positive values suggest resilience or recovery. The study area experienced a 63.75% reduction in vegetation cover, from 67.10 km2 before Hurricane Ian to 24.325 km2 after. Pre-hurricane NDVI ranged from −0.2298 to 0.5663, while post-hurricane values ranged from −0.189 to 0.521, indicating overall vegetation stress. ARVI maxima decreased from 0.379 to 0.352, and SAVI maxima from 0.849 to 0.782, further confirming vegetation damage. Support Vector Machine classification achieved 89% accuracy (Kappa = 0.85) for pre-hurricane and 87% (Kappa = 0.83) for post-hurricane vegetation mapping. These findings enhance our understanding of hurricane impacts on urban green infrastructure, with significant implications for urban planning and disaster preparedness in coastal cities prone to extreme weather events. The outcomes enhance damage assessment methodologies and provide valuable insights into the ecological consequences of hurricanes on urban ecosystems.

Integration of Green and Gray Infrastructures – Conceptualization from the Perspective of Gray Engineers

Green infrastructure preserves, enhances, or restores elements of a natural system to provide higher-quality, more resilient, and lower-cost infrastructure services. Ecosystem disaster prevention and mitigation is also one of the features of green infrastructure. It is thus expected to integrate gray and green infrastructure to achieve greater resilience and sustainability. While several concepts of integrated green and gray infrastructure (IGGI), or hybrid infrastructure, have been proposed at the landscape scale, hybrid possibilities could exist at the single structural element and material scales. This paper proposes three types of IGGI concepts that could be beneficial for gray engineers to implement green infrastructure in terms of the gray engineering perspectives (safety, serviceability, and durability), primarily focusing mainly on the scale of single- or multiple-structure scales smaller than landscape scale. By categorizing the past and feasible IGGI cases into three concepts, the performance requirements for each infrastructure (green or gray) will become apparent, accelerating the discussion to develop a performance curve model as an IGGI. Also, the work needed to realize IGGI is discussed, emphasizing the urgent need for gray engineers to understand the benefits of integrating green infrastructure into gray infrastructure and thus promote the implementation of IGGI.