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Socioeconomic and Environmental Benefits of Expanding Urban Green Areas: A Joint Application of i-Tree and LCA Approaches

Author

Listed:
  • Mariana Oliveira

    (International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Remo Santagata

    (Department of Engineering, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Serena Kaiser

    (International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Yanxin Liu

    (School of Management and Engineering, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China)

  • Chiara Vassillo

    (Department of Engineering, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Patrizia Ghisellini

    (Department of Engineering, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Gengyuan Liu

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Sergio Ulgiati

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Green infrastructures deliver countless functions for counteracting climate change, air pollution, floods, and heat islands, contributing at the same time to water and carbon recycling as well as to renewable energies and feedstock provisioning. Properly addressing such environmental problems would require huge investments that could be decreased thanks to the further implementation of urban forests. Local administrations are designing participative projects to improve territories and their living conditions. The i-Tree Canopy modelling tool and the life cycle assessment method are jointly applied to evaluate the potential benefits of increasing tree coverage within the boundaries of the Metropolitan City of Naples, Southern Italy. Results highlighted that tree coverage could increase by about 2.4 million trees, thus generating 51% more benefits in pollutants removal, carbon sequestration and stormwater management. The benefits are also explored and confirmed by means of the life cycle assessment method. The potential tree cover is expected to provide a total annual economic benefit of USD 55 million, purchasing power parity value adjusted, representing USD 18 per citizen and USD 99,117 per square kilometre of implemented urban forest. These results can support a potential replication elsewhere and provide a reference for the sustainable improvement of cities by expanding urban green areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana Oliveira & Remo Santagata & Serena Kaiser & Yanxin Liu & Chiara Vassillo & Patrizia Ghisellini & Gengyuan Liu & Sergio Ulgiati, 2022. "Socioeconomic and Environmental Benefits of Expanding Urban Green Areas: A Joint Application of i-Tree and LCA Approaches," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:12:p:2106-:d:980907
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Alessio Russo & Giuseppe T. Cirella, 2023. "Urban Ecosystem Services: Advancements in Urban Green Development," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-4, February.
    3. Benedetto Rugani & Philippe Osset & Olivier Blanc & Enrico Benetto, 2023. "Environmental Footprint Neutrality Using Methods and Tools for Natural Capital Accounting in Life Cycle Assessment," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-30, June.
    4. Babí Almenar, Javier & Petucco, Claudio & Sonnemann, Guido & Geneletti, Davide & Elliot, Thomas & Rugani, Benedetto, 2023. "Modelling the net environmental and economic impacts of urban nature-based solutions by combining ecosystem services, system dynamics and life cycle thinking: An application to urban forests," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).

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