Public green spaces for urban sustainability: A quantitative socio-ecological analysis of impacts in Marrakech, Morocco

This study provides a socio-ecological and bioeconomic analysis of their multifunctional contribution to the sustainability of Marrakech, a city under strong natural pressures (climatic, etc) and human pressures (pollution, etc). Empirically, we quantify ecosystem services (thermal and hydrological regulation, sequestration and storage of pollutant gases ‘CO₂, CO, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀’; O2 production…), as well as the associated socio-economic benefits. A mixed methodology combines hyperspectral remote sensing, GIS, bioeconomic modeling (i-Tree Eco), and field surveys (measurements; interviews using interview guides and questionnaires). A PCA analysis allows us to distinguish five ecological profiles among the studied sites. We also correlate managerial performance and governance with environmental effectiveness. These findings point to an ecological hierarchy, in particular, large wooded spaces such as the Palmeraie act as major carbon sinks (53760 t CO₂/year), and offer exceptional hydrological regulation (runoff reduction > 98%), On the other hand, the small gardens play a role in providing filtration of pollutants and cooling. Moreover, mathematical modeling demonstrates that governance mechanisms explain 64.26% of the variability in green space quality (R² = 0.646), highlighting that stakeholder participation, resource mobilization, and monitoring-evaluation are just as decisive as biophysical characteristics. Overall, the quantitative results confirm the pronounced multifunctionality of these areas, and highlight the significance of governance processes, efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction as major factors affecting the ecological performance of these areas. Finally, this research provides a new perspective on urban green areas by redefining them as a means of urban adaptation and environmental justice in Marrakech and similar cities.