Urban Green Spaces and an Integrative Approach to Sustainable Environment

Shah Md. Atiqul Haq
DOI: 10.4236/jep.2011.25069                

Abstract

This paper explains the benefits and challenges of urban green spaces based on the critical discussion of study results from different studies in different cities. The important roles played by green spaces are social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of sustainable development. Urban green spaces can be a comprehensive tool for long term protection of environmental sustainability through improving the quality of life and air quality, increasing property value due to their amenity and aesthetic characteristics, and reducing the energy costs of cooling buildings. Urban green spaces also can provide ecosystem services in which the recreation and relaxation facilities are especially available to urban dwellers and tourists too. To confirm the multiple roles played by green spaces, certain level of qualitative improvements and distribution of green spaces within the urban area should be considered and incorporated effectively into the environmental sustainability agenda. To do this, an integrated approach regarding the planning, monitoring, designing and maintaining of urban green spaces is required for improving the environmental sustainability in cities in different countries.

Keywords

Integrative Approach, Socio-Economic Value, Sustainable Environment, Urban Green Spaces

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	URGE, 2002. http://www.urge-project.org
[2]	B. Tuzin, E. Leeuwen, C. Rodenburg and N. Peter, Paper presented at the 38th International Planning Congress on “The Pulsar Effect” Planning with Peaks, Glifada, Athens, 21-26 September 2002.
[3]	D. Oguz, “User Survey of Ankara’s Parks,” Elsevier Science: Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 52, No. 2, 2000, pp. 165-171.
[4]	V. Herzele and T. Wiedeman, “A Monitoring Tool for the Provision for Accessible and Attractive Green Spaces,” Elsevier Sciences: Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 63, No. 2, 2003, pp. 109-126. doi:10.1016/S0169-2046(02)00192-5
[5]	P. Grahn and U. A. Stigsdotter, “Landscape Planning and Stress,” Urban Forest: Urban for Urban Green, Vol. 2 2003, pp. 001-018.
[6]	M. Neuvonen, T. Sievanen, T. Susan and K. Terhi, “Access to Green Areas and the Frequency of Visits: A Case Study in Helsinki,” Elsevier: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, Vol. 6, No. 4, 2007, pp. 235-247.
[7]	V. Heidt and M. Neef, “Benefits of Urban Space for Improving Urban Climate,” Ecology, Planning and Management of Urban Forests: International Perspective, 2008.
[8]	P. Bolund and H. Sven, “Ecological Services in Urban Areas,” Elsevier Sciences: Ecological Economics, Vol. 29, 1999, pp. 293-301. doi:10.1016/S0921-8009(99)00013-0
[9]	M. Sorensen, J. Smit, V. Barzetti and J. Williams, “Good Practices for Urban Greening,” Inter-American Development Bank, 1997. http://www.iadb.org/sds/doc/ENV109KKeipiE.pdf.
[10]	D. Huang, C. C. Lu and G. Wang, “Integrated Management of Urban Green Space: The Case in Guangzhou China,” 45th ISOCARP Congress 2009.
[11]	C. Francis, “People Places; Design Guidelines for Urban Open Space,” Second Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, 1997.
[12]	L. Loures, R. Santos and P. Thomas, “Urban Parks and Sustainable Development: The case study of Partimao city, Portugal,” Conference on Energy, Environment, Ecosystem and Sustainable Development, Agios Nikolaos, Greece, 2007.
[13]	I. Masakazu, “Urbanization, Urban Environment and Land Use: Challenges and Opportunities,” Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development Expert Meeting, Guilin, 23 January 2003.
[14]	http://www.countdown2010.net/2010/wp.../FS7Greenspace_small.PDF
[15]	S. Balram and S. Dragicevic, “Attitude towards Urban Green Spaces; Integrated Questionnaire Survey and Collaborative GIS Techniques to Improve Attitude Measurement,” Elsevier: Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 71, No. 2-4, 2005, pp. 147-162.
[16]	R. Laing, D. Miller, A.-M. Davies and S. Scott, “Urban Green Spaces; The Incorporation of Environmental VALUES in a Decision Support System,” 2006. http://www.itcom.org/2006/14/
[17]	W. Xion-Jun, “Analysis of Problems in Urban Green Space System Planning in China,” Journal of forestry Research, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2009, pp. 79-82.
[18]	F. Altunkasa and C. Uslu, “The Effect of Urban Green Spaces in Upper Northern Urban Development Area of Adana (Turkey),” Tubitak Journal, Vol. 28, 2004, pp. 203-209.
[19]	A. Etzioni, “The Essential Communitarian Reader,” Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, 1998.
[20]	C. Moughtin and P. Shirley, “Urban Design: Green Dimension,” Published by Elsevier, 2005.
[21]	T. Stein and M. Lee, “Managing Recreation Resources for Positive Outcomes: An Application of Benefits Based Management,” Park and Recreation Administration Jour- nal, Vol. 13, No. 3, 1995, pp. 52-70.
[22]	S. Irum, M. Alamgir, M. Gul and A. Osman, “Perceptions of Community of Madina Town towards the Undeveloped Green Spaces in Madina Town,” Pakistan Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 2, No. 12, 2002, pp. 1099-1101.
[23]	B. Tress, G. Tress and G. Fry, “Integrative Studies on Rural Landscapes: Policy Expectations and Research Practice,” Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 70, No. 1-2, 2005, pp. 177-191. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2003.10.013
[24]	Scottish Executive, “Rethinking Open Space,” The Stationery Office, Kit Campbell Associates, Edinburgh, 2001.
[25]	J. Jacobs, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” In: G. Haughton and C. Hunter, Sustainable Cities, JKP, London, 1994.
[26]	J. Dole, “Greenscape 5: Green Cities, Architects’ Journal,” In: G. Haughton and C. Hunterm, Sustainable Cities, JKP, London, 1994, pp. 61-69.
[27]	M. Hough, “City Form and Natural Processes, London: Croom Helm,” In: G. Haughton, and C. Hunter, Sustainable Cities, JKP, London, 1994.
[28]	C. Y. Jim, “Green-Space Preservation and Allocation for Sustainable Greening of Compact Cities,” Elsevier sciences: Cities, Vol. 21, No. 4. 2004, pp. 311-320. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2004.04.004
[29]	C. Flink, C. Olka and R. M. Searn, “Trails of Twenty-First Century: Planning Design and Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails,” Island Press, Washington DC, 2001.
[30]	N. Thompson, “The Contribution of the Social Sciences to Knowledge Based Development,” Centre for Rural Economy Discussion Paper Series No. 13, University of Newcastle, 2007.