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Land
Special Issues
Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services
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Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 11007

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hrvoje Tomić

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: land management; property valuation; cadastre; land administration; GIS; SDI
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Miodrag Roić

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: cadastre; land administration; land governance; surveying; geoinformatics; land management; open data infrastructures; benchmarking
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Goran Andlar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Agriculture, Division of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: cultural landscape theory; inventory, analysis and evaluation of rural landscape; mediterranean dry stone wall landscape research; landscape typology and landscape character assessment approaches; landscape policies-legislation
Prof. Dr. Jaroslaw Janus

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Land Surveying, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
Interests: land consolidation; land abandonment; land use change; remote sensing; geoinformation; land use modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of Land on “Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services”.

Land, as a limited resource, demands effective integrated management. Achieving economic, social and environmental aspects in a balanced and integrated manner is a complex and challenging concept. Geoinformation-based decision making related to urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services (ESs) can be crucial to promote sustainable conservation and urban development. Integrated approaches to land management must efficiently assess and address various aspects to take advantage of the recent developments and trends in data science, and can be used together with widely available spatially enabled datasets within the framework of geoinformation infrastructure.

For this Special Issue, we are interested in contributions that link urban green infrastructure and/or ecosystem services and land management strategies with information-based decision making, good practices and different decision-making models at different levels. Although the roles and benefits of urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services are recognized and encouraged at the strategic level, for the purpose of efficient planning and monitoring, it is necessary to identify and model the indicators needed to efficiently monitor and evaluate the status of the establishment or improvement of urban green infrastructure and the connected ESs.

The focus of the papers submitted to this Special Issue may relate to—but are not limited to—the following themes:

ISO LADM: Land Administration Domain Model extensions concerning urban green Infrastructure and/or SE—exploring the integration and harmonizing with the principles of ISO LADM.

Urban Pre-parcellation (Consolidation) Strategies: investigating urban pre-parcellation techniques and strategies that enhance the implementation of urban green infrastructure.

Landscape Aspects in Urban Green Infrastructure: valuing economic, social and environmental aspects.

Assessments and Technical Aspects of Urban Green Infrastructure: exploring methodologies for valuing land and property within the context of urban green infrastructure.

Dr. Hrvoje Tomić
Prof. Dr. Miodrag Roić
Dr. Goran Andlar
Prof. Dr. Jaroslaw Janus
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • land management
  • urban green infrastructure
  • ecosystem services
  • geoinformation
  • decision making
  • sustainable urban development

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 12186 KiB  
Article
Green Infrastructure Mapping in Almeria Province (Spain) Using Geographical Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Evaluation
by Álvaro Navas González, Richard J. Hewitt and Javier Martínez-Vega
Land 2024, 13(11), 1916; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111916 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly prioritised in landscape policy and planning due to its potential to benefit ecosystems and enhance wildlife conservation. However, due to the uneven distribution of protected areas (PAs) and the fragmentation of habitats more generally, multi-level policy strategies are [...] Read more.
Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly prioritised in landscape policy and planning due to its potential to benefit ecosystems and enhance wildlife conservation. However, due to the uneven distribution of protected areas (PAs) and the fragmentation of habitats more generally, multi-level policy strategies are needed to create an integrated GI network bridging national, regional and local scales. In the province of Almeria, southeastern Spain, protected areas are mainly threatened by two land use/land cover changes. On the one hand, there is the advance of intensive greenhouse agriculture, which, between 1984 and 2007, increased in surface area by more than 58%. On the other hand, there is the growth of artificial surfaces, including urban areas (+64%), construction sites (+194%) and road infrastructures (+135%). To address this challenge, we present a proposal for green infrastructure deployment in the province of Almeria. We combine Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) techniques to identify and evaluate suitability for key elements to be included in GI in two key ways. First, we identify the most suitable areas to form part of the GI in order to address vulnerability to degradation and fragmentation. Second, we propose 15 ecological corridors connecting the 35 protected areas of the province that act as core areas. The proposed GI network would extend along the western coast of the province and occupy the valleys of the main rivers. The river Almanzora plays a leading role. Due to its remoteness from the coast and its climatic conditions, it has not attracted intensive greenhouse agriculture and urban development, the main drivers of the transformation and fragmentation of traditional land uses. Around 50% of the area occupied by the proposed corridors would be located in places of medium and high suitability for the movement of species between core areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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22 pages, 5921 KiB  
Article
Anthropogenic Effects on Green Infrastructure Spatial Patterns in Kisangani City and Its Urban–Rural Gradient
by Julien Bwazani Balandi, Jean-Pierre Pitchou Meniko To Hulu, Kouagou Raoul Sambieni, Yannick Useni Sikuzani, Jean-François Bastin, Charles Mumbere Musavandalo, Timothée Besisa Nguba, Roselande Jesuka, Carlo Sodalo, Léa Mukubu Pika and Jan Bogaert
Land 2024, 13(11), 1794; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111794 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 603
Abstract
Urban and peri-urban expansion significantly influences the spatial pattern of cities and surrounding zones. This study examines the spatial changes in green infrastructure components, specifically focusing on mature forests, short forests, and agricultural and grass lands from 1986 to 2021, using satellite imagery. [...] Read more.
Urban and peri-urban expansion significantly influences the spatial pattern of cities and surrounding zones. This study examines the spatial changes in green infrastructure components, specifically focusing on mature forests, short forests, and agricultural and grass lands from 1986 to 2021, using satellite imagery. Two landscape ecology indexes, the percentage of landscape (PLAND), and the largest patch index (LPI), were applied. PLAND provides insights into the proportion of habitat types, capturing overall extent, while LPI elucidates their spatial configuration. The research is conducted in a specific context of increasing urbanization and peri-urbanization in Kisangani city, DR Congo. The findings reveal a decline in both mature and short forests, respectively, from 1986 to 2021, and from 2006 to 2021 alongside a continuous expansion of agricultural and grass lands at the landscape scale. Moreover, the spatial pattern of mature and short forests exhibited significant variations across urban, peri-urban, and rural zones. In the context of 2021, in urban and peri-urban zones, mature forests account for less than 1% of the 2.25 km2 plots, against more than 35% in certain rural plots. Similarly, larger patches of mature forest in urban and peri-urban zones cover less than 0.5% of the 2.25 km2 plots, whereas they exceed 20% in rural zones. From 1986 to 2021, both mature and short forests experienced significant decline and fragmentation, particularly in urban and peri-urban zones, while agricultural and grass lands increased significantly in peri-urban and rural zones. These results raise concerns regarding the functions, services, and opportunities provided by mature and short forests in the context of global change. They also highlight the need for urban planning in Kisangani to prioritize green infrastructure preservation, focusing on maintaining forest connectivity and preventing further fragmentation. Policies should promote sustainable land use in peri-urban zones to achieve a balance between urban expansion and the provision of essential ecosystem services, thereby enhancing long-term resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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17 pages, 3946 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Urban Green Space Dynamics in Dhaka South City Corporation of Bangladesh Using Geospatial Techniques
by Maliha Sanzana Misty, Muhammad Al-Amin Hoque and Sharif A. Mukul
Land 2024, 13(9), 1426; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091426 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1301
Abstract
Green spaces play a critical role in enhancing the urban environment, improving livability, and providing essential ecosystem services. A city should have at least 25% green space from an environmental and health point of view. However, quantitative estimation is required to assess the [...] Read more.
Green spaces play a critical role in enhancing the urban environment, improving livability, and providing essential ecosystem services. A city should have at least 25% green space from an environmental and health point of view. However, quantitative estimation is required to assess the extent and pattern of green space changes for proper urban management. The present study aimed to identify and track the changes in urban green spaces within the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) of Bangladesh over a 30-year period (i.e., 1991–2021). Geospatial techniques were utilized to analyze green space dynamics using Landsat 4–5 TM satellite images from 1991, 2001, and 2011 and Landsat 8 images from 2021. Supervised image classification techniques and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis were performed to assess the urban green space dynamics in DSCC. The results of our study revealed a significant 36.5% reduction in vegetation cover in the DSCC area over the study period. In 1991, the green area coverage in DSCC was 46%, indicating a relatively healthy environment. By 2001, this coverage had declined sharply to 21.3%, further decreasing to 19.7% in 2011, and reaching a low of just 9.5% in 2021. The classified maps generated in the study were validated through field observations and Google Earth images. The outcomes of our study will be helpful for policymakers and city planners in developing and applying appropriate policies and plans to preserve and improve urban green spaces in DSCC in Bangladesh and other Asian megacities with high population density. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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25 pages, 3265 KiB  
Article
Urban Green Infrastructure Connectivity: The Role of Private Semi-Natural Areas
by Raihan Jamil, Jason P. Julian, Jennifer L. R. Jensen and Kimberly M. Meitzen
Land 2024, 13(8), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081213 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 2426
Abstract
Green spaces and blue spaces in cities provide a wealth of benefits to the urban social–ecological system. Unfortunately, urban development fragments natural habitats, reducing connectivity and biodiversity. Urban green–blue infrastructure (UGI) networks can mitigate these effects by providing ecological corridors that enhance habitat [...] Read more.
Green spaces and blue spaces in cities provide a wealth of benefits to the urban social–ecological system. Unfortunately, urban development fragments natural habitats, reducing connectivity and biodiversity. Urban green–blue infrastructure (UGI) networks can mitigate these effects by providing ecological corridors that enhance habitat connectivity. This study examined UGI connectivity for two indicator species in a rapidly developing city in the southern United States. We mapped and analyzed UGI at a high resolution (0.6 m) across the entire city, with a focus on semi-natural areas in private land and residential neighborhoods. Integrating graph theory and a gravity model, we assessed structural UGI networks and ranked them based on their ability to support functional connectivity. Most of the potential habitat corridors we mapped in this project traversed private lands, including 58% of the priority habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler and 69% of the priority habitat for the Rio Grande Wild Turkey. Riparian zones and other areas with dense tree cover were critical linkages in these habitat corridors. Our findings illustrate the important role that private semi-natural areas play in UGI, habitat connectivity, and essential ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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23 pages, 10481 KiB  
Article
Spatial-Temporal Coupling Coordination Relationship between Urban Green Infrastructure Construction and Economic Development in China
by Weiwei Wang, Yanping Wen, Wanxu Chen and Yiran Qu
Land 2024, 13(7), 1095; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071095 - 19 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 772
Abstract
Urban green infrastructure construction and economic growth are necessary ways and important supports to promote sustainable development. Exploring their coupling coordination relationship is important for achieving high-quality economic development. This study uses the entropy method, coupling coordination degree, kernel density estimation, the Dagum [...] Read more.
Urban green infrastructure construction and economic growth are necessary ways and important supports to promote sustainable development. Exploring their coupling coordination relationship is important for achieving high-quality economic development. This study uses the entropy method, coupling coordination degree, kernel density estimation, the Dagum Gini coefficient, and spatial autocorrelation to explore the spatial-temporal pattern characteristics and coupling coordination relationship between green infrastructure construction and economic development for 273 cities in Chinese mainland in 2010–2020. The results show that the level of China’s green infrastructure construction and economic development gradually increased during 2010–2020. There were significant regional differences in space, exhibiting a decreasing spatial pattern from east to west. The coupling coordination degree was constantly improving. The overall Gini coefficient shows an upward trend. Among the four regions, eastern China has the greatest intraregional variation. The uneven level of coupled coordination is mainly from interregional variation. There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation relationship, and cities that had a higher degree of coupling coordination tended to agglomeration development. Meanwhile, it also had certain spatial heterogeneity. China’s entire level of coupling coordination degree still has much room for improvement. The study is of great significance in reducing disparities between regions and strengthening regional spatial coordination development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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28 pages, 6438 KiB  
Article
Your Favourite Park Is Not My Favourite Park: A Participatory Geographic Information System Approach to Improving Urban Green and Blue Spaces—A Case Study in Edinburgh, Scotland
by Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson, Yiyun Wang, Simon Bell, Craig W. McDougall and Catharine Ward Thompson
Land 2024, 13(3), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030395 - 20 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
Access to urban green and blue spaces (UGBSs) has been associated with positive effects on health and wellbeing; however, the past decades have seen a decline in quality and user satisfaction with UGBSs. This reflects the mounting challenges that many UK cities face [...] Read more.
Access to urban green and blue spaces (UGBSs) has been associated with positive effects on health and wellbeing; however, the past decades have seen a decline in quality and user satisfaction with UGBSs. This reflects the mounting challenges that many UK cities face in providing appropriate public facilities, alongside issues such as health inequalities, an ageing population, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. At present, little is known about the preferences of different population subgroups and, specifically, the UGBSs they visit and the spaces they avoid. Using a public participatory geographic information system (PPGIS), the overall aim of the research presented here was to investigate the preferences of different population subgroups in urban areas, and the UGBSs they visit, using Edinburgh, Scotland as a case study. We created a baseline visitor demographic profile for UGBS use, and highlighted how visitors perceive, physically access, use, and engage with UGBSs. The results revealed considerable variation in UGBS preference: one person’s favourite UGBS may be one that someone else dislikes and avoids. It is clear that adapting UGBSs to suit local communities should not be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The conflicting views and preferences of different groups of respondents point to the importance of developing policies and park management plans that can accommodate a variety of uses and experiential qualities within individual parks. PPGIS approaches, such as those utilised in this study, offer opportunities to address this issue and provide evidence to increase equitable UGBS usage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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Review

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20 pages, 6607 KiB  
Review
The Role of Green Infrastructure in Providing Urban Ecosystem Services: Insights from a Bibliometric Perspective
by Milena V. Sokolova, Brian D. Fath, Umberto Grande, Elvira Buonocore and Pier Paolo Franzese
Land 2024, 13(10), 1664; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101664 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2222
Abstract
Urban ecosystems, and the services they provide, are a key focus of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 11, which emphasizes making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Green infrastructure (GI) is crucial in enhancing citizens’ quality of life [...] Read more.
Urban ecosystems, and the services they provide, are a key focus of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 11, which emphasizes making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Green infrastructure (GI) is crucial in enhancing citizens’ quality of life and achieving this goal and it can be defined as a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to deliver a range of ecosystem services (ESs). These infrastructures improve ecosystem functioning, protect biodiversity, promote health, support sustainable land and water management, and boost the local green economy. This paper explores the scientific literature on GI and their ESs in cities using bibliometric science. By combining the keywords “Green Infrastructures”, “Ecosystem Services”, and “Cities” with VOSviewer software (1.6.20 version), we analyzed trends over time. Results show growing attention to these topics, emphasizing human well-being, urban resilience, and sustainability. The study also highlights that focusing exclusively on either “Green Infrastructure in Cities” or “Ecosystem Services in Cities” leads to fragmented insights. A more integrated examination of these three domains offers a holistic view and underscores the importance of considering ecosystem disservices. The study further identifies key research directions, including the need for a comprehensive evaluation of diverse GI types, especially those that are under-researched, such as green roofs, sports areas, and wetlands, and the underexplored role of cultural ecosystem services. Additionally, future research should consider both the benefits and disservices of GI to support better urban planning decisions. Finally, integrating biophysical, social, and economic values of ESs is critical for providing more holistic insights and enhancing sustainable urban development. The novelty of this paper lies in its integrated, holistic approach to examining GI and ESs in urban areas, with a focus on ecosystem disservices, insufficient attention to specific GI types, and the role of cultural ecosystem services—each contributing to the creation of more resilient and sustainable cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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