TY - JOUR

T1 - A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas of the Global South

AU - Fluhrer, Tanja

AU - Hack, Jochen

AU - Chapa Zumba, José Fernando

N1 - Funding Information: Funding: This research was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and research (BMBF), grant number 01UU1704. Acknowledgments: We acknowledge the support from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Open Access Publishing Fund of the Technical University of Darmstadt.

PY - 2021/1/4

Y1 - 2021/1/4

N2 - Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides multiple functions that combine ecological and social benefits. UGI is being increasingly promoted and implemented in the Global North. In other parts of the world, such as in the Global South, infrastructures for UGI implementation and promotion are sparse. The state of infrastructure development and informal settlements in the Global South present different constraints and demands that should be explicitly addressed. This study presents an approach to addressing the specific conditions and physical limitations of UGI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four-step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. This methodology consists of (1) an initial site analysis, (2) defining design criteria and general strategies, (3) exploring the different dimensions of multifunctionality as the basis for deriving spatial typologies, and (4) assessing spatial suitability for potential placements for UGI elements. The methodology was applied to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica. The results indicate the potential to improve the hydrological (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological (an increase of green space by 2.2%, creation of 1500mlength of roadside greenery and two newhabitat types), and social conditions (2200m of road type upgrading) of the site through UGIs. This assessment of different multifunctionality dimensions can serve as a guide for future UGI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.

AB - Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides multiple functions that combine ecological and social benefits. UGI is being increasingly promoted and implemented in the Global North. In other parts of the world, such as in the Global South, infrastructures for UGI implementation and promotion are sparse. The state of infrastructure development and informal settlements in the Global South present different constraints and demands that should be explicitly addressed. This study presents an approach to addressing the specific conditions and physical limitations of UGI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four-step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. This methodology consists of (1) an initial site analysis, (2) defining design criteria and general strategies, (3) exploring the different dimensions of multifunctionality as the basis for deriving spatial typologies, and (4) assessing spatial suitability for potential placements for UGI elements. The methodology was applied to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica. The results indicate the potential to improve the hydrological (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological (an increase of green space by 2.2%, creation of 1500mlength of roadside greenery and two newhabitat types), and social conditions (2200m of road type upgrading) of the site through UGIs. This assessment of different multifunctionality dimensions can serve as a guide for future UGI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.

KW - Costa rica

KW - Green infrastructure

KW - Neighborhood level

KW - Retrofitting

KW - Sustainability

KW - Urban;multifunctionality

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85099144396&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/su13010384

DO - 10.3390/su13010384

M3 - Article

VL - 13

JO - Sustainability

JF - Sustainability

SN - 2071-1050

IS - 1

M1 - 384

ER -