Citizen Science Data to Measure Human Use of Green Areas and Forests in European Cities

Understanding and explaining the use of green spaces and forests is challenging for sustainable urban planning. In recent years there has been increasing demand for novel approaches to investigate urban green infrastructure by capitalizing on large databases from existing citizen science tools. In this study, we analyzed iNaturalist data to perform an assessment of the intentional use of these urban spaces for their value and to understand the main drivers. We retrieved the total number of observations obtained across a set of 672 European cities and focused on reporting from mapped green areas and forests. We used two separate multivariate explanatory models to investigate which factors explained variations in the number of observations for green areas and forests. We found a relatively heterogeneous use of these two urban green spaces. Gross domestic product was important in explaining the number of visits. Availability and accessibility also had positive relationships with the use of green areas and forests in cities, respectively. This study paves the way for better integration of citizen science data in assessing cultural services provided by urban green infrastructure and therefore in supporting the evaluation of spatial planning policies for the sustainable development of urban areas.

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People’s Avoidance of Neighboring Agricultural Urban Green Infrastructure: Evidence from a Choice Experiment

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126930 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6930

Author(s):

Shinsuke Kyoi

Keyword(s):

Spatial Econometrics ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Choice Experiment ◽

Online Survey ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Urban Green ◽

Ishikawa Prefecture ◽

Urban Green Infrastructure

This study evaluates people’s preferences regarding the proximity of their residence to agricultural urban green infrastructure (UGI), such as agricultural land and satoyama, and discusses the availability of these types of land as UGI. UGI is vital for reducing the negative environmental impacts of urban areas, as these impacts are too large to ignore. In this study, we conducted an online survey and a choice experiment to investigate people’s perceptions regarding the proximity of their residence to agricultural UGI (AUGI). The respondents of the choice experiment were 802 inhabitants of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, which has rich agricultural resources. To examine explicitly the spatial autocorrelation of people’s preferences, in this study, we used the spatial econometrics method. The main empirical findings are that people prefer agricultural land far away from their residence—more than 1000 m, not within 1000 m—which reflects the not-in-my-backyard phenomenon. Meanwhile, people’s preferences regarding proximity to satoyama are complicated and their preferences are positively spatially autocorrelated. The results indicate that policymakers and urban planners should manage and provide AUGI far away from residential areas; otherwise, they must address people’s avoidance of neighboring AUGI.

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Dynamic evaluation of small urban green areas at local level using GEOBIA

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10374 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ana-Maria Popa ◽

Diana Andreea Onose ◽

Ionut Cosmin Sandric ◽

Simona Raluca Gradinaru ◽

Athanasios Alexandru Gavrilidis

Keyword(s):

Green Infrastructure ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Local Level ◽

Consumption Pattern ◽

Urbanization Process ◽

Dynamic Evaluation ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Areas ◽

Green Areas

Urban green infrastructure has various benefits known as ecosystem services such as regulating, cultural, provisioning and supporting services. Among the provided benefits there are decrease of air temperature, increasing humidity and mitigating urban heat island as regulating services; human-nature relations as cultural services; improving air quality, carbon sequestration as provisioning services and photosynthesis, nutrient and water cycling as supporting services. The high intensity of the urbanization process across the last decades coupled with weak legislative frameworks resulted both in large areas affected by urban sprawl and densification of the existing urban fabric. Both phenomenon generated loss in open spaces, especially green areas. In the context of the sustainable urbanization promoted by HABITAT Agenda, the knowledge related with the distribution, size and quality of urban green areas represents a priority. The study aim is to identify small urban green areas at local level at different time moments for a dynamic evaluation. We focused on small urban green areas since they are scarcely analysed even if their importance for the urban quality of life Is continuously increasing given the urbanization process. We used satellite imagery acquired by Planet Satellite Constellations, with a spatial resolution of 3.7 m and daily coverage, for extracting green areas. The images were processed using Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) techniques implemented in Esri ArcGIS Pro. The spatial analysis we performed generated information about distribution, surfaces, quality (based on NDVI) and dynamic of small urban green areas. The results are connected with the local level development of the urban areas we analysed, but also with the population consumption pattern for leisure services, housing, transport or other public utilities. The analysis can represent a complementary method for extracting green areas at urban level and can support the data collection for calculating urban sustainability indicators.

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Assessing Nature-Based Recreation to Support Urban Green Infrastructure Planning in Trento (Italy)

Land ◽

10.3390/land7040112 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 112 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Chiara Cortinovis ◽

Grazia Zulian ◽

Davide Geneletti

Keyword(s):

Urban Planning ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Urban Parks ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Local Context ◽

Urban Green ◽

Innovative Methods ◽

Urban Green Infrastructure ◽

The City

Nature-based recreation is among the most relevant ecosystem services supplied by urban green infrastructure, affecting citizens’ physical and mental wellbeing. Providing adequate green spaces for nature-based recreation is among the main goals of urban planning, but commonly-used indicators offer a partial view on the issue. Innovative methods and approaches, such as the ESTIMAP-recreation model, appear as promising ways to increase the quality of information available for decision-makers by considering both the range of green spaces that provide the service and the locally-specific demand. The article presents an application of the ESTIMAP-recreation model to the city of Trento (Italy), aimed at testing its adaptation to the local context and the potential improvements brought to urban planning. The comparison of the results with traditional indicators based on the availability and accessibility to urban parks shows significant differences in terms of priority of intervention across the city, with implications on planning decisions. The application demonstrates that innovative methods can enhance the understanding of nature-based recreation in cities beyond the focus on urban parks, revealing a wide portfolio of actions that planners can put in place to promote nature-based recreation through a multifunctional green infrastructure.

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Heterogeneous urban green areas are bird diversity hotspots: insights using continental-scale citizen science data

Landscape Ecology ◽

10.1007/s10980-019-00851-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 1231-1246 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Corey T. Callaghan ◽

Gilad Bino ◽

Richard E. Major ◽

John M. Martin ◽

Mitchell B. Lyons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Citizen Science ◽

Bird Diversity ◽

Science Data ◽

Urban Green ◽

Continental Scale ◽

Urban Green Areas ◽

Green Areas

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A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas

10.20944/preprints202009.0155.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tanja Fluhrer ◽

Jochen Hack

Keyword(s):

Green Infrastructure ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Global South ◽

Western Hemisphere ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Urban Green ◽

Runoff Reduction ◽

Public Areas ◽

Urban Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructures (GI) are considered key to reconcile ecological and social benefits by providing multiple functions. The concept is increasingly promoted and guidelines for its implementation have been developed in many countries and regions of the Western Hemisphere. However, for other parts of the world, especially for countries with less developed infrastructures, promotion, guidance for decision-making and manuals for GI are often lacking. But the state of infrastructure development and often unplanned character of settlements in the Global South differ and result in specific constraints as well as demands to GI that need to be addressed explicitly. This study presents a methodological approach to explicitly address the specific conditions and physical limitations to GI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. An initial site analysis (1) and the definition of design criteria as well as general strategies (2) to achieve the different dimensions of multi-functionality are the basis to derive spatial typologies (3) for GI elements and finally the spatial suitability assessment for potential placements (4). An application of the methodology to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica, shows exemplarily that the potential to improve the hydrological conditions (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological conditions (increase of green space by 2,2 %, creation of 1500 m length of roadside greenery and two new habitat types), and social conditions (2.200 m of road type upgrading) of multi-functionality of the site through Green Infrastructures. These assessment results of different multi-functionality dimension can serve as a guidance for GI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.

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Perceptions of spatial patterns of visitors in urban green spaces for the sustainability of smart city

International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks ◽

10.1177/15501477211034069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 155014772110340

Author(s):

Qi Liu ◽

Li Hou ◽

Sana Shaukat ◽

Usman Tariq ◽

Rabia Riaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Smart City ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Well Being ◽

Statistical Testing ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Green Areas ◽

Urban People

Urban green spaces are really vital for the well-being of human in urban areas. In urban planning for green space site selection, the study of the bond among the usage of green spaces and their categories that really influence their use can provide useful references. A spatial and temporal research on the allocation of visitors in 157 green areas was carried out in Shanghai to know which green spaces are denser or crowdsourced by utilizing social media big data. We evaluated the association with statistical testing and Kernel Density Estimation among the spatial pattern of the visitor spread in urban green areas. We used check-in data from social media to test this study comparing the number of humans who visit various green parks. We have classified green areas into various categories and our main findings are focused on their characteristics: (1) famous category of green parks according to visitors’ preferences, (2) Differences in the number of visitors by daytime, and (3) crowdsourced area based upon number of check-ins. The main aim of this article is to remind policy makers of the value of providing local people access to green areas and to empower cities with a framework for contacting green parks with the purpose of increasing the comfort of urban people with the architecture of smart city.

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Evapotranspiration, water demand and water footprint of urban green spaces

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-5512 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hamideh Nouri ◽

Sattar Chavoshi Borujeni ◽

Arjen Hoekstra

Keyword(s):

Water Consumption ◽

Water Demand ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Water Footprint ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Blue Water ◽

Total Water ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Green Areas

The world&#8217;s population residing in urban areas grew from 30% in 1950 to about 60% in 2020 and is expected to reach 68% by 2050. As urban areas continue to grow, green spaces in cities are getting ever more treasured. Most cities have adopted strategies to be greener to improve their resilience and livability. To make the best of the benefits offered by urban green spaces, healthy greenness is essential and this means additional water consumption. Water limitation usually results in drying out of green areas in summer, when benefits and services by green spaces are highly demanded (e.g. cooling effect). In the 21st century, vulnerability to water shortage is not restricted to dry regions anymore;&#160; water scarcity in the time of need is threatening the livability of cities even in wet regions (i.e. extreme summers in Europe). In this study, we estimate for the first time, to our knowledge, the blue water consumption of urban green spaces. We measure the evapotranspiration of an urban green space using three approaches of in-situ, observational-based and remote sensing, and employ principles of water footprint. We assess the blue and green water footprint of urban greenery to maintain green areas of a city based on their water demand, not the abstracted water or irrigated water. In the case of Adelaide Parklands in Australia, the annual total water footprint is 1114mm, of which 17% consumes in spring, 42% in summer, 27% in autumn, and 14% in winter. The average blue water footprint of the Parklands calculates 0.66&#8239;m3 per square meter per annum. The hot and dry summer causes a high total water footprint compared to the cold and wet winter. This study is transferable to other cities for quantification of blue water consumption of urban green spaces and their water footprint. These findings may help to guide urbanisation priorities to move toward greening cities with no extra pressure on scarce water resources.

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Phytoremediation: Nature based solution for contaminated urban soils

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-828 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zorana Hrkic Ilic ◽

Marijana Kapovic Solomun ◽

Nada Sumatic

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Tree Species ◽

Urban Population ◽

Urban Soils ◽

Community Gardens ◽

Urban Green ◽

Green Areas ◽

Urban Green Infrastructure

Abstract: Rapid growth of urban population and consequential increasing traffic, construction of buildings, roads, industrial areas, affects urban soils as well as urban environment in general. Urban soils differ from the natural soils by their disturbed structure resulting from waste disposal, construction sites, pollution from atmospheric deposition, traffic and industrial activities. Mismanagement of urban environment can cause severe contamination of green areas in cities, with serious health risk for urban population. To prevail those issues and improve the sustainability of urban green areas, innovative and nature based solutions (NBS) should gain more attention, particularly those easily applied such as tree-based phytoremediation. Unlike traditional remediation techniques that are expensive, very demanding and can cause secondary pollution, tree-based phytoremediation is NBS with wide spectrum of application. It is low-cost technique, based on urban green infrastructure (parks, alleys, community gardens) and has numerous benefits reflected throught sustainable management of urban soils and improvement of general environmental, health, social and economic conditions for urban population. Primarly, urban green infrastructure consist of different tree species capable to mitigate soil contamination, especially contamination with toxic heavy metals (HMs). Regeneration of urban ecosystems based on the role of tree species is connected to ability of trees to retain, uptake and decompose pollutants (including HMs) from contaminated urban soils, enabling their re-use process and turning them into green and environmental friendly areas. Taking into account advantages of phytoremediation technique, the aim of this paper is to present concentration of some HMs (cadmium, lead and zinc) in urban soils of cities accross Bosnia and Herzegovina and look into phytoremediation potential of common urban tree species: horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) and planetree (Platanus &#215; acerifolia (Aiton) Willd.). Results showed high phytoremediation potential of above mentioned tree species, which opens space for further research and introduction of this NBS for remediation of many severely polluted urban soils, drawing attention to better-understood urban sustainability and importance of application of phytoremediation as NBS on local level.Key words: nature-based solutions, phytoremediation, urban soil, trees, heavy metals

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A perceptual study of users’ expectations of urban green infrastructure in Kalamaria, municipality of Greece

Management of Environmental Quality An International Journal ◽

10.1108/meq-12-2014-0176 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 568-584 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Paraskevi Karanikola ◽

Thomas Panagopoulos ◽

Stilianos Tampakis ◽

Aikaterini Karipidou-Kanari

Keyword(s):

Green Infrastructure ◽

Public Perception ◽

Noise Pollution ◽

Well Being ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Content Type ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Infrastructure ◽

Log Linear ◽

Management Alternatives

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate residents’ perceptions, preferences and satisfaction concerning the urban green infrastructure of Kalamaria, Greece, to evaluate the importance of urban parks for residents’ well-being and to suggest management improvements. Design/methodology/approach – Following a random sampling method, 385 residents were interviewed. Green infrastructure number and size, design suitability, safety, variety and care of plants, noise pollution, facilities for people with disabilities and duration and frequency of visits to green areas were among the considered parameters. Factor and hierarchical log-linear analyses were conducted. Findings – The existing green spaces were insufficient in number, size and design, and their distribution was unsatisfactory. The facilities and equipment in the green spaces were evaluated as rather mediocre, and most respondents were unsatisfied with the overall planning and management of the green infrastructure in the municipality of Kalamaria. The results indicate that resident’s well-being relates to their satisfaction with urban green infrastructure. Frequent and longer visits of green spaces significantly improved the perceived well-being. The residents expressed an intention to pay 20-40 percent more than the average price for a house with a view of a green area. Originality/value – Public perception surveys enable green infrastructure managers to identify preferred management alternatives and to use this information in an urban planning framework. Local authorities can use the results of the present survey to manage the city’s green infrastructure, enhance the city’s resilience and anticipate climate change challenges and the future needs of residents.

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Modelling Accessibility to Urban Green Areas Using Open Earth Observations Data: A Novel Approach to Support the Urban SDG in Four European Cities

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13030422 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 422

Author(s):

Gregory Giuliani ◽

Ekkehard Petri ◽

Eduard Interwies ◽

Veronika Vysna ◽

Yaniss Guigoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Space ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Population ◽

Low Cost ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Sustainable Urban Development ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Earth Observations ◽

European Cities

Cities are recognised as key enablers for the world’s sustainable future. Urban sprawl and inefficient use of land are important issues significantly impacting the provision and use of open green spaces. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 11.7.1 aims at globally monitoring the amount of land that is dedicated by cities for public space. In Europe, the indicator “Share of urban population without green urban areas in their neighbourhood” is supposed to correspond to the SDG11.7.1 but is currently on-hold due to methodological issues and lack of data. Moreover, to efficiently assess public space conditions, timely and spatially disaggregated information is essential but not yet widely adopted by urban practitioners. Hereafter, we use a combination of satellite and crowdsourced Earth Observations (EO) to model physical accessibility to urban green spaces in four European cities. Findings suggest that it is technically feasible to derive information on the share of urban population without green urban areas in their neighbourhood. Results demonstrate that the proposed methodology represents a consistent, valid, reliable, low-cost, timely and continuous source of information for sustainable urban development. Open and free EO data can be a good complement to enhance official and traditional statistics on urban areas facilitating EU reporting against the SDG indicator for better comparison between EU countries.

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