Scholarly record
GREEN CITIES AS BIODIVERSITY HUBS
Abstract
Global biodiversity decline is dramatic. Urbanization is a global trend that is often driving biodiversity loss. At the same time urban green spaces can maintain high levels of biodiversity. However, for urban Nature-based Solutions to maintain biodiversity they have to be designed and managed with this goal in mind. Furthermore, there are certain risks to biodiversity associated with the urban green infrastructure. These risks merit consideration when urban planning is undertaken. Approaches to green infrastructure planning and design can differ depending on whether it is being integrated into existing cities or into new cities at the planning stage. Social and economic considerations can play an important role in determining whether the Nature-based Solutions projects are sufficiently supported in order to be capable of maintaining biodiversity. The presence of both ecosystem services and disservices can shape public attitude towards the solutions. This is a multi-dimensional question requiring thorough consideration to inform policymakers. Here we conduct a multi-factor analysis and based on it propose recommendations to policymakers and practitioners.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References17
Filazzola, A., Shrestha, N. and MacIvor, J.S. The contribution of constructed green infrastructure to urban biodiversity: A synthesis and meta-analysis, Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 56(9), pp 2131-2143, 2019. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13475
Veerkamp, C.J. et al. A review of studies assessing ecosystem services provided by urban green and blue infrastructure, Ecosystem Services, vol. 52, 101367, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101367
Nieuwenhuijsen, M.J. Green Infrastructure and Health, Annual Review of Public Health, vol. 52, pp. 317 � 328, 2021. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102511
Kumar, P. et al. Urban heat mitigation by green and blue infrastructure: Drivers, effectiveness, and future needs, The Innovation, vol. 5(2), 100588, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100588
Green, D. et al. Green infrastructure: The future of urban flood risk management? WIRES Water, vol.8(6), e1560, 2021. DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1560
IUCN, Nature-based Solutions, Available from: https://iucn.org/our-work/nature-based-solutions#:~:text=Nature%2Dbased%20Solutions%20address%20societal,nature%20at%20the%20same%20time. [Accessed on the 3rd of November 2024].
Liu, H. et al. Associations of multiple ecosystem services and disservices of urban park ecological infrastructure and the linkages with socioeconomic factors, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 174, pp. 868-879, 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.139
Cwik, A. et al. Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces�Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping, Forests, vol. 12(8), 1077, 2021. DOI: 10.3390/f12081077
Chmura, D. et al. Novel Ecosystems in the Urban-Industrial Landscape�Interesting Aspects of Environmental Knowledge Requiring Broadening: A Review, Sustainability, vol. 14(17), 10829, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/su141710829
Hudson, J.A., Rock Engineering Systems Theory and Practice. Ellis Horwood, New York, 1992.
Vester, F., The Art of Interconnected Thinking. Ideas and Tools for Tackling Complexity. MCB Verlag GmbH, Germany, 2007.
Scholz, R. W. and Tietje, O., Embedded Case Study Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Knowledge. Sage, UK, 2002. DOI: 10.4135/9781412984027
Husqvarna Urban Green Space Insights (HUGSI). Available from: https://www.hugsi.green/ [Accessed on the 17th of November 2024].
Russo, A. et al. Edible green infrastructure: An approach and review of provisioning ecosystem services and disservices in urban environments, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, vol. 242, pp 53-66, 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2017.03.026
Vicarelli, M. et al. On the cost-effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions for reducing disaster risk, Science of the Total Environment, vol. 947, 174524, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174524
Thompson, R. et al. Urban bird diversity: does abundance and richness vary unexpectedly with green space attributes? Journal of Urban Ecology, vol. 8(1), juac017, 2022. DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac017
Daniels, B. et al. A �plan bee� for cities: Pollinator diversity and plant-pollinator interactions in urban green spaces, PLOS ONE, vol. 15(7), e0235492. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235492
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.

