Valuing urban green spaces in mitigating climate change: A city‐wide estimate of aboveground carbon stored in urban green spaces of China's Capital

The increase and optimization of urban vegetation has been considered an effective mitigation measure of an urban heat island (UHI), with positive effects on human thermal comfort. In this study, the cooling potential of all green spaces in Lisbon was estimated. For that, several mobile measurements of air temperature data were made in a single park (Gulbenkian’s Garden). These measurements were used for the interpolation of air temperature. Furthermore, urban biomass was estimated using remote sensing products, namely Landsat satellite images. Ultimately, a linear regression model was built from the relation between vegetation density and air temperature. Results regarding the estimation of biomass (AGB) in the city of Lisbon were higher in winter than in summer. The urban green spaces cooling potential model showed that for every decrease of 1 °C in air temperature between a measuring point and a reference station we need to increase the area covered by vegetation by 50 m2 (planar measure). This methodology can be applied in other urban areas for the quantification of the cooling effect provided by vegetation in order to improve urban climate thermal conditions and human well-being and, consequently, to mitigate some consequences of future climate change.

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Public Perceptions of Urban Green Spaces: Convergences and Divergences

Frontiers in Sustainable Cities ◽

10.3389/frsc.2021.755313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Shah Md. Atiqul Haq ◽

Mohammad Nazrul Islam ◽

Ankita Siddhanta ◽

Khandaker Jafor Ahmed ◽

Mohammed Thanvir Ahmed Chowdhury

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Public Support ◽

Public Perceptions ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Extensive Literature ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Adaptation And Mitigation

In the context of rapid climate change, it is important to understand public perceptions of urban green spaces (UGSs), because green spaces have enormous potential as instruments for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and because the development of such spaces both requires and benefits from public support. This article attempts, through an extensive literature review, to understand convergences and divergences in perceptions of urban green spaces (UGSs) of city dwellers around the world and to identify gaps in the existing research. Additionally, the article explores research into the benefits associated with urban green spaces, including health (e.g., physical and mental), social (e.g., social networks and social relationships), economic (e.g., employment and income generation), and environmental (e.g., ecosystem services and biodiversity). This article further seeks to identify the extent to which urban residents have been found to perceive the roles UGSs can play in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and cultural exchange. Based on studies conducted in different countries over the past decade, this paper integrates environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects of urban greening to provide insight into the similarities and differences in perceptions of urban green spaces and suggest approaches to building climate change resilient urban communities. This paper finds justification for: encouraging the use of integrated, multidisciplinary approaches, using innovative tools, for both the study and practical development of UGSs; conducting a greater number of studies of newer urban areas in developing countries; and considering the diverse disadvantages as well as the advantages of UGSs in order to support the continued development and expansion of this critical climate-friendly infrastructure. The more that residents' perceptions of and attitudes toward UGSs are incorporated into the design of such spaces, the more successful they will be at providing the myriad benefits they have the potential to offer.

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Urban Green Spaces Enhance Climate Change Mitigation in Cities of the Global South: The Case of Kumasi, Ghana

Procedia Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.proeng.2017.07.074 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 198 ◽

pp. 69-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bertrand F. Nero ◽

Daniel Callo-Concha ◽

Alexander Anning ◽

Manfred Denich

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Mitigation ◽

Global South ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Change Mitigation

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Analysis of the Cooling Effect of Urban Green Spaces in Mitigating Micro-climate Change Using Geospatial Techniques in Adama City, Central Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1095929/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Biratu Bobo Merga ◽

Kenate Worku Tabor ◽

Girma Alemu

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Urban Planning ◽

Surface Temperature ◽

Land Surface Temperature ◽

Vegetation Cover ◽

Land Surface ◽

Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces

Abstract Nowadays, addressing urban climate in urban planning through mapping has got world-wide attention. Greening urban environment is one of the best mechanisms to combat the effects of micro-climate change. Therefore, this study aims at analyzing the cooling effects of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) in mitigating micro-climate change in Adama City with special emphasis on land surface temperature variation with respective to vegetation cover for the last two decades i.e. from 2000 to 2020. Three different remotely sensed data of Landsat7 ETM+ (2000 and 2010) as well as Landsat8 OLI/TIRS (2020) were used in the study. The consistent land surface temperature data were retrieved from Landsat7 ETM+ and Landsat8 OLI/TIRS using mono window and split window algorithms, respectively. Regression and correlation analysis among Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) were also performed in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS V23). The study reveals that the proportion of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) to other land use/land cover particularly, dense vegetation cover were reduced from 29.3Km2(21.20%) in 2000 to 18.17Km2 (13.15%) in 2020. The main land dynamic process, which could considerably contribute to the increase in Land Surface Temperature, was the rapid expansion of built-up areas in the study area. The model produced through multiple linear regression analysis clearly indicates that the two urban parameters (built up and green areas) contributed 75.2% of the Land Surface Temperature (LST) variations in Adama City. The cooling efficiency (CE) and the threshold value of efficiency (TVoE) of green space in Adama City were calculated as 5.5 ± 0.5 ha. This finding implies that when Adama City municipality implements urban planning, allocating a green space area of 5.5 ± 0.5 ha reduces surface temperature by about 2.85 0C which is the most efficient to reduce heat effects. The study suggests that strengthening of plan execution capacity, public participation in urban planning and strengthening the development of urban green spaces as an important strategy to mitigate the effects of micro-climate change.

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Assessment of Carbon Sequestration Potential of Tree Species in Amity University Campus Noida

Environmental Sciences Proceedings ◽

10.3390/iecf2020-08075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 52

Author(s):

Richa Sharma ◽

Lolita Pradhan ◽

Maya Kumari ◽

Prodyut Bhattacharya

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Carbon Storage ◽

Tree Species ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Carbon Sequestration Potential ◽

Sequestration Potential ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Urban green spaces, particularly trees, have great potential to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and mitigate the impacts of climate change in cities. Large university campuses offer prominent space where such green spaces can be developed in order to offset the increasing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other benefits. Amity University, Noida, is spread over 60 acres with dense tree plantations in and around the campus. The present study is a sustainability initiative to inventory the tree species on the campus and assess their total carbon sequestration potential (CSP). The above- and below-ground biomasses were estimated using the non-destructive sampling method. Individual trees on the campus were measured for their height and diameter at breast height (DBH), and estimates of carbon storage were performed using allometric equations. There is a total of 45 different tree species on the campus with the total CSP equivalent to approximately 139.86 tons. The results also reveal that Ficus benjamina was the predominant species on the campus with CSP equivalent to 30.53 tons, followed by Alstonia scholaris with carbon storage of 16.38 tons. The study reports that the ratio of native to exotic species is 22:23 or almost 1:1. The present work highlights the role of urban forests or urban green spaces, not only as ornamental and aesthetic plantations but also in mitigating the impacts of climate change at a local level. Higher education institutes have an important role in expanding their green cover so as to act as local carbon sinks.

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Urban Landscapes and Green Infrastructure

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science ◽

10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.23 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Stephan Pauleit ◽

Rieke Hansen ◽

Emily Lorance Rall ◽

Teresa Zölch ◽

Erik Andersson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Ecological Footprint ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Planning Approach

Urban green infrastructure (GI) has been promoted as an approach to respond to major urban environmental and social challenges such as reducing the ecological footprint, improving human health and well-being, and adapting to climate change. Various definitions of GI have been proposed since its emergence more than two decades ago. This article aims to provide an overview of the concept of GI as a strategic planning approach that is based on certain principles. A variety of green space types exist in urban areas, including remnants of natural areas, farmland on the fringe, designed green spaces, and derelict land where successional vegetation has established itself. These green spaces, and especially components such as trees, can cover significant proportions of urban areas. However, their uneven distribution raises issues of social and environmental justice. Moreover, the diverse range of public, institutional, and private landowners of urban green spaces poses particular challenges to GI planning. Urban GI planning must consider processes of urban change, especially pressures on green spaces from urban sprawl and infill development, while derelict land may offer opportunities for creating new, biodiverse green spaces within densely built areas. Based on ample evidence from the research literature, it is suggested that urban GI planning can make a major contribution to conserving and enhancing biodiversity, improving environmental quality and reducing the ecological footprint, adapting cities to climate change, and promoting social cohesion. In addition, GI planning may support the shift toward a green economy. The benefits derived from urban green spaces via the provision of ecosystem services are key to meeting these challenges. The text argues that urban GI planning should build on seven principles to unlock its full potential. Four of these are treated in more detail: green-gray integration, multifunctionality, connectivity, and socially inclusive planning. Considering these principles in concert is what makes GI planning a distinct planning approach. Results from a major European research project indicate that the principles of urban GI planning have been applied to different degrees. In particular, green-gray integration and approaches to socially inclusive planning offer scope for further improvement In conclusion, urban GI is considered to hold much potential for the transition toward more sustainable and resilient pathways of urban development. While the approach has developed in the context of the Western world, its application to the rapidly developing cities of the Global South should be a priority.

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