scholarly journals Water and Energy Efficiency Assessment in Urban Green Spaces

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5490
Author(s):  
Laura Monteiro ◽  
Raquel Cristina ◽  
Dídia Covas
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Water Scarce ◽  
The Impact

Urban green spaces can be intensive water and energy consumers in the cities, particularly in water scarce regions. Though a very efficient use of such resources is necessary, tools for assessing both water and energy consumption and efficiency are not available. In this paper, a new methodology based on water and energy balances is developed for assessing the water-use and energy efficiency in urban green spaces. The proposed balances, adapted from those developed for water supply systems, are specifically tailored for accounting for urban green spaces specificities, namely, landscape water requirements, other uses besides irrigation and over irrigation water losses. The methodology is demonstrated in two case studies of different nature and characteristics: a modern garden with a smart irrigation system and an urban park with traditional irrigation system. The results show that the developed water balances allow to estimate and assess the irrigation efficiency over the years and to assess the effectiveness of implemented water saving measures. The application of the water–energy balance demonstrates the impact of water efficiency measures on the energy efficiency of the irrigation systems. The proposed methodology can be used to assess water and water–energy efficiency in urban green spaces and to identify the most adequate improvement measures, contributing for a better management of the two resources in the cities.

scholarly journals The impact of urban green spaces on the probability of urban crime in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-169
Author(s):  
Ni Made Sukartini ◽  
Ilmiawan Auwalin ◽  
Rumayya Rumayya
Keyword(s):  
Urban Crime ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of urban green spaces to the public

2021 ◽  
pp. 105925
Author(s):  
Tomasz Noszczyk ◽  
Julia Gorzelany ◽  
Anita Kukulska-Kozieł ◽  
Józef Hernik
Keyword(s):  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals “I Would Never Come Here Because I’ve Got My Own Garden”: Older Adults’ Perceptions of Small Urban Green Spaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa G. Macintyre ◽  
Sarah Cotterill ◽  
Jamie Anderson ◽  
Chris Phillipson ◽  
Jack S. Benton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Improve Health

Green spaces are known to improve health and wellbeing via several mechanisms, such as by reducing stress and facilitating physical activity. However, little is known about the impact of the smaller green spaces typically found in urban environments on wellbeing, especially for older adults. This study investigated experiences in adults (5 males and 10 females) aged 60 years and over of small urban green spaces in a large UK city. Fifteen older adults were interviewed using semi-structured walk-along interviews and photo elicitation methods in Old Moat, Greater Manchester. Twelve of the participants lived in Old Moat at the time of the study, and the remaining three participants previously lived in Old Moat and were frequent visitors. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Smaller urban green spaces were perceived differently to large green spaces, and participants were more likely to use larger green spaces such as parks. The smaller green spaces were perceived as belonging to other people, which discouraged the older adults from using them. The older adults also emphasized the importance of taking care of small urban green spaces and preventing them from becoming overgrown. Urban planners should consider these factors, since they indicate that the size and type of urban green spaces may influence whether they improve health and wellbeing. Further research should investigate in more detail which types of urban green space are most conducive to facilitating physical activity and improving wellbeing.

Are trees and shrubs unsafe hiding places? Impact of plant forms on the perception of danger in urban green spaces in crime hot spots

2021 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Lis ◽  
Łukasz Pardela ◽  
Paweł Iwankowski ◽  
Antal Haans
Keyword(s):  
Urban Parks ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Perceived Danger ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Sense Of Danger ◽  
Forest Parks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Urban parks and forests are important for wellbeing, but feelings of unsafety limited their usage. Removal of vegetation from hotspots of fear is sometimes recommended as a means of boosting safety. However such actions should be approached with caution. One explanation, based on prospect-refuge theory, is that plants increase perceptions of danger because of their contribution to a setting’s effectiveness in concealing criminals. It is also believed that people do not like urban green spaces parks containing trees and shrubs that can act as hiding places because of the sense of danger that this vegetation evokes. To test this explanation, participants rated 57 photos of urban parks and forest parks settings park settings on perceived danger, effectiveness of concealment, and landscape preference. In addition, the effectiveness of concealment in the photos was measured assuming that the value of this variable is expressed by the percentage of the pixels occupied by trees and shrubs offering concealment in a photograph. Results confirmed that concealment and danger are highly correlated mediation analysis confirmed that the impact of concealment on preferences can be explained by perceived danger. When the danger was controlled, the efficiency of concealment had no influence on preferences.

scholarly journals Estimation of the Allergenic Potential of Urban Trees and Urban Parks: Towards the Healthy Design of Urban Green Spaces of the Future

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cariñanos ◽  
Grilo ◽  
Pinho ◽  
Casares-Porcel ◽  
Branquinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Allergenic Potential ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ornamental Species

The impact of allergens emitted by urban green spaces on health is one of the main disservices of ecosystems. The objective of this work is to establish the potential allergenic value of some tree species in urban environments, so that the allergenicity of green spaces can be estimated through application of the Index of Urban Green Zones Allergenicity (IUGZA). Multiple types of green spaces in Mediterranean cities were selected for the estimation of IUGZ. The results show that some of the ornamental species native to the Mediterranean are among the main causative agents of allergy in the population; in particular, Oleaceae, Cupressaceae, Fagaceae, and Platanus hispanica. Variables of the strongest impact on IUGZA were the bioclimatic characteristics of the territory and design aspects, such as the density of trees and the number of species. We concluded that the methodology to assess the allergenicity associated with urban trees and urban areas presented in this work opens new perspectives in the design and planning of urban green spaces, pointing out the need to consider the potential allergenicity of a species when selecting plant material to be used in cities. Only then can urban green areas be inclusive spaces, in terms of public health.

scholarly journals State of woody vegetation in an urbanized environment (the example of Krasnoyarsk)

2021 ◽  
Vol 875 (1) ◽  
pp. 012080
Author(s):  
E Lisotova ◽  
L Suntsova ◽  
E Inshakov
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Vital State ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Woody plants are one of the effective ways of stabilising the ecological environment of large industrial cities. In order to maximize the effect of green spaces a large and diverse research effort is needed to study the urban green spaces, assess their ecological plasticity and adaptive potential. The results of such research will be the basis for recommendations on the selection of an assortment of species for landscaping of urban areas. The aim of the study was to investigate the condition of woody plants growing in the urban environment of Krasnoyarsk. Within the framework of the study a comprehensive assessment of existing urban green spaces was carried out for the first time for Krasnoyarsk. The species composition and age structure of plantings are established by the results of inventory of public plantings. The vital state of dominant species has been evaluated and their ecological and physiological characteristics, including the study of water retaining capacity of leaves, has been carried out. That allowed to estimate the impact of anthropogenic environment on the condition of urban woody plants.

From energy balance to energy efficiency indicators including water losses

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lenzi ◽  
C. Bragalli ◽  
A. Bolognesi ◽  
S. Artina
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Supply Systems

The collection and distribution of drinking water resources generally require large quantities of energy, that vary according to factors related to the characteristics of the served area, as well as to design and management choices. Energy intensity indicators (energy per unit of volume) are insufficient to assess the weight of different factors that affect the energy consumption and appear not suitable for the comparison of different water supply systems. The key step of this work is to define a methodology for assessing the energy efficiency of water supply systems. In particular, water losses in water distribution systems, generally assessed in relation to the quantity of high quality water dispersed in the environment, are herein considered in relation to their energy content. In addition to the evaluation of energy balance using the approach proposed by Enrique Cabrera et al. in ‘Energy audit of water networks’ (see J. Water Res. Plan. Manage.136 (6), 669–677) an overall efficiency indicator WSEE (Water Supply Energy Efficiency) is then proposed. Its decomposition finally leads to the definition of further indicators, which may help to assess how the structure of the network, leakage rate and/or pumps affect the energy efficiency of the water system. Such indicators can be used to compare different water supply systems and to identify the impact of individual interventions. The proposed energy analysis was applied to two case studies in Northern Italy.

scholarly journals The water needs of urban green areas

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Czesław Przybyła ◽  
Dariusz Kayzer ◽  
Radosław Gulczyński
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green Areas ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
Ornamental Shrubs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The aim of the research was to evaluate the irrigation needs of urban green spaces in terms of automatic irrigation system. For this purpose, four research stations: two on the surface of shrubs and two on the lawn were founded. The analysis included two vegetation seasons in 2009 and 2010. To estimate the water requirements of the analyzed surfaces a method based on water balance was used. After comparison of simulation result with instrumental results, difference between soil water reserves was calculated. Normalized mean square error (NRMSE) for the post of ornamental shrubs during the vegetation season in 2009 was 0.80, and 2.76% for the lawn. However, in the same period in 2010, it was 0.21% for ornamental shrubs and 1.54% for the lawn. The assessment of the irrigation system for the whole operating period was based on indicators of effectiveness and efficiency of irrigation. The performance indicator of irrigation ranged from 83 to 100%, while the rate of irrigation efficiency from 87 to 100%. To assess the relationship between the components of the water balance multiple linear regression model was used. The analysis takes into account the impact of the many independent features on selected dependent feature. For this purpose the impact of temperature, humidity, initial retention in a balance layer, irrigation doses and natural precipitation on the water supply in the soil profiles was analyzed. As a result of the analyzes the size of a single dose of irrigation, in order to maintain a certain level of humidity for different surfaces of urban green areas, can be determined.

scholarly journals Investigation of the impact of visiting urban green spaces on wellbeing of residents

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Bernat ◽  
Vitas Marozas ◽  
Remigijus Žalkauskas
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Impact

The aim of the research was to evaluate the correlation between green spaces and wellbeing of residents. To achieve the aim a questionnaire survey method was used. Over 60% of all respondents were the residents of the two largest cities of Lithuania. It was found out that the residents of Lithuania visited urban green spaces irregularly. The frequency of visiting green spaces depended on the season. About 30% of respondents visited urban green spaces four times a week or more often in summer, and 17.4% of the respondents visited urban green spaces once a month in winter. The residents spent about 1–3 hours in green spaces during one visit. About 30% of respondents lived at a distance of 50–300 m to the nearest green space. About 21.5% of respondents had an opportunity to visit urban green spaces on a daily basis. Visiting of urban green spaces was closely linked to the negative assessment of the respondents’ wellbeing, in particular with ailments due to back and spinal pains, increased irritation and nutritional disorders. Those respondents who evaluated their wellbeing more negatively, tended to visit urban green spaces more often.

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