Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Patricia Sanches, Fabiano Lemes de Oliveira, Gabriela Celani
Summary: This article introduces a multi-scalar spatial planning model for peri-urban areas and urban voids, which can reconcile medium to high building densities with the provision of ecosystem services. Through expert workshops and a survey, the model was proven to support knowledge-based development and ensure accessibility to green spaces and productive landscapes.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Una Okilj, Malina Cvoro, Sasa Cvoro, Zoran Uljarevic
Summary: Responsible and rational urban planning requires an integral and multidimensional approach to city development. The paper discusses the importance of integrating the principles of green and compact cities in order to achieve sustainable and resilient urban development. Through a comparative analysis of the green structure change and temperature rise in Banja Luka over the past fifty years, the paper questions the effectiveness of environmental urban planning.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
J. F. Fernandez-Alvarado, J. F. Coloma-Miro, J. P. Cortes-Perez, M. Garcia-Garcia, S. Fernandez-Rodriguez
Summary: This study aims to estimate the potential risk of exposure to urban green infrastructure by calculating and improving the AIROT index. A 3D BIM model was created using BIM methodology and LiDAR technology to simulate pedestrian walks in high-risk areas of allergenic interest for allergic patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Sofia Flores, Carmen Van Mechelen, Jose Palacios Vallejo, Koenraad Van Meerbeek
Summary: Urbanization is driving economic development in Latin America, but it is also causing pressure on people and biodiversity in cities. Urban green spaces provide an opportunity to mitigate adverse consequences and improve the urban environment, but research on their functioning and implementation in Latin America is limited.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Maryam F. Abdulateef, Hoda A. S. Al-Alwan
Summary: This study assesses the effectiveness of urban green infrastructure (UGI) in reducing surface urban heat island (SUHI) in Baghdad city. The results show that UGI plays an apparent role in declining surface temperature (Ts) in both models, and the cooling effects of UGI are convergent on similar surfaces of the two models.
AIN SHAMS ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alessandro Sebastiani, Federica Marando, Fausto Manes
Summary: This study assessed the mismatch of two regulating ecosystem services in Rome, Italy, and identified priority intervention areas based on supply-demand indicators. A monetary valuation of the benefits associated with urban green infrastructure was also provided. The findings highlight the importance of urban planning practices like urban regeneration and reforestation to address the mismatch in ecosystem services.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Elisavet Thoidou
Summary: The paper examines the impact of climate change on land protection and emphasizes the need for cooperation among different types and levels of spatial planning. Land protection should focus on climate adaptation and utilize innovative nature-based solutions.
Article
Environmental Studies
Donatella Valente, Maria Victoria Marinelli, Erica Maria Lovello, Cosimo Gaspare Giannuzzi, Irene Petrosillo
Summary: This research identifies knowledge gaps in the field of urban green spaces and maps the Urban Green Index and Urban Landscape Services Index. The results show that some districts are better at providing landscape services, but overall the Urban Green Index is relatively low.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Federica Marando, Mehdi P. Heris, Grazia Zulian, Angel Udias, Lorenzo Mentaschi, Nektarios Chrysoulakis, David Parastatidis, Joachim Maes
Summary: The Urban Heat Island effect is a harmful environmental hazard for urban residents, and its intensity is expected to increase with climate change. Urban Green Infrastructure can help reduce the intensity of the UHI effect, contributing to resilient urban environments and climate change adaptation and mitigation. It is necessary to integrate UGI into urban planning and legislation, supported by widely applicable and easily accessible quantitative evidence.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Zbigniew J. Grabowski, Timon McPhearson, Steward T. A. Pickett
Summary: Cities across the Unites States have embraced green infrastructure in official planning efforts, but it remains unclear whether these plans address systemic racism and urban inequality. A study of 122 formal plans from 20 US cities found a widespread failure to incorporate equity and justice principles into these plans. The majority of plans do not utilize inclusive processes and fail to identify the causes of uneven distributions and vulnerability. To improve current GI planning practices, clear definitions of equity and justice are needed, planning must engage with causes of inequality and displacement, and a focus on inclusion is necessary.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zbigniew J. Grabowski, Timon McPhearson, Steward T. A. Pickett
Summary: Cities in the United States have integrated green infrastructure (GI) into their official planning, but it remains uncertain whether these plans address systemic racism and urban inequality. A study of 122 formal plans from 20 cities found a lack of conceptualization and operationalization of equity, as well as a failure to utilize inclusive processes in planning and implementing GI. This may result in unequal distribution and vulnerability.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Elie Hanna, Francisco A. Comin
Summary: Research indicates a strong connection between urban green infrastructure, ecosystem services, urban planning, and sustainable development. However, most documents do not cover multiple aspects such as environmental, social, and economic factors, further research integrating these aspects and linking UGI to all the Sustainable Development Goals is recommended. The majority of the studies focus on achieving inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities (SDG 11) and protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Abdul Munaf Mohamed Irfeey, Hing-Wah Chau, Mohamed Mahusoon Fathima Sumaiya, Cheuk Yin Wai, Nitin Muttil, Elmira Jamei
Summary: The urban heat island effect is a global crossroads issue, with rising surface temperatures due to urbanization and an expanding built environment. This cause-and-effect connection may be linked to weather-related dangers, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks. Urbanization and industrialization will not lead to a secure and sustainable future. Finding solutions to problems such as the heat island effect is at the forefront of scientific research and policy development.
Article
Environmental Studies
Sven Eggimann
Summary: The Barcelona superblock is an urban transformation strategy that redirects car-based traffic and promotes the conversion of street space into urban green space. This study identifies potential superblocks in major Swiss cities and quantifies the current urban green space. The analysis reveals variations in superblock opportunities and urban green space among different cities, highlighting the potential for expanding urban green space. The results provide insights into urban green space opportunities at the street and block-level arising from super blocks in Switzerland.
Article
Urban Studies
Reza Ramyar, Aiden Ackerman, Douglas M. Johnston
Summary: Green Infrastructure (GI) planning, originally developed as an integrated approach to ecological and conservation planning, has become widely used in urban and regional planning, enhancing the ability to address climate change at the urban scale by providing a holistic understanding of socio-ecological systems dynamics. Integrating adaptation objectives into plans is crucial for sustainable urban GI planning, although challenges remain in practice.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Konstantina-Dimitra Salata, Athena Yiannakou
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Elisabeth Marquard, Stephan Bartke, Judith Gifreu I Font, Alois Humer, Arend Jonkman, Evelin Jurgenson, Naja Marot, Lien Poelmans, Blaz Repe, Robert Rybski, Christoph Schroeter-Schlaack, Jaroslava Sobocka, Michael Tophoj Sorensen, Eligka Vejchodska, Athena Yiannakou, Jana Bovet
Article
Environmental Studies
Kostas Mouratidis, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: This study examines and compares the determinants of neighborhood satisfaction and happiness in Thessaloniki, Greece and Oslo, Norway, using geospatial and survey data. The results show that common determinants of satisfaction are proximity to city center, perceived safety, and place attachment, while common determinants of happiness are perceived safety, perceived quietness, social cohesion, place attachment, and lower density. The study also reveals important differences between the two cities, suggesting that the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and livability depends on the local context.
Article
Urban Studies
Kostas Mouratidis, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's quality of life, with decreased health and well-being during this period. The relationship between the urban built environment and health and well-being has varied between the COVID-19 period and the pre-pandemic period, indicating that factors such as proximity to parks and local facilities, lower neighborhood density, living further from the city center, and residing in larger dwellings are associated with better health and well-being outcomes during COVID-19.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Apostolos Papagiannakis, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: This research investigates citizen perception of transit-oriented development (TOD) and its potential for urban revitalization and regeneration. Findings reveal that citizens are concerned about public space, walkability issues, transit quality, and the positive effects of the metro. Age, income, and personal travel behaviors are also found to be significantly related to satisfaction with public transport and willingness to increase transit use.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Konstantina-Dimitra Salata, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: Climate change adaptation has become an important policy area to mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, the concepts related to adaptation are often used inconsistently, leading to a lack of understanding and implementation in fields like spatial planning. This study explores the integration of adaptation in spatial planning through Green Infrastructure (GI) planning, developing a methodological tool called REAd GrIn to incorporate resilience, vulnerability, and adaptability concepts into spatial plans and policies.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Efthymios Moutsiakis, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: The promotion of RESs is a crucial policy to enhance clean energy production, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and address climate change commitments. Spatial planning plays a vital role in directing investments in RESs while considering the coexistence of RESs with environmental assets. This paper proposes a new territorial carrying capacity approach to supplement the existing watercourse-based approach, aiming to place carrying capacity in a broader and more strategic spatial planning context.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgios-Rafail Kouklis, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: This paper investigates the contribution of urban morphology to microclimatic conditions in urban outdoor spaces. The study highlights the decisive role of street layout, urban canyons, and open and green spaces in a compact urban form in creating microclimatic conditions and influencing bioclimatic parameters.
Article
Environmental Studies
Apostolos Papagiannakis, Athina Vitopoulou, Athena Yiannakou
Summary: This paper examines the potential for implementing the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) model in Southern European cities, proposing a typology adapted to the characteristics of these cities and presenting two pilot TOD plans. Southern European cities can take advantage of their compact and mixed-use features to implement the TOD model.
EUROPEAN PLANNING STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Athina Vitopoulou, Athena Yiannakou
EUROPEAN URBAN AND REGIONAL STUDIES
(2020)
Article
Economics
Athena Yiannakou
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Antonis Kamaras, Athena Yiannakou