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The Role of Green Infrastructure in Providing Urban Ecosystem Services: Insights from a Bibliometric Perspective

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  • Milena V. Sokolova

    (International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, 80122 Naples, Italy
    Advancing Systems Analysis Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria)

  • Brian D. Fath

    (Advancing Systems Analysis Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria
    Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA
    Department of Environmental Studies, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Umberto Grande

    (International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, 80122 Naples, Italy
    Department of Geobotany and Landscape Planning, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland)

  • Elvira Buonocore

    (International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, 80122 Naples, Italy)

  • Pier Paolo Franzese

    (International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, 80122 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Urban ecosystems, and the services they provide, are a key focus of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 11, which emphasizes making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Green infrastructure (GI) is crucial in enhancing citizens’ quality of life and achieving this goal and it can be defined as a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to deliver a range of ecosystem services (ESs). These infrastructures improve ecosystem functioning, protect biodiversity, promote health, support sustainable land and water management, and boost the local green economy. This paper explores the scientific literature on GI and their ESs in cities using bibliometric science. By combining the keywords “Green Infrastructures”, “Ecosystem Services”, and “Cities” with VOSviewer software (1.6.20 version), we analyzed trends over time. Results show growing attention to these topics, emphasizing human well-being, urban resilience, and sustainability. The study also highlights that focusing exclusively on either “Green Infrastructure in Cities” or “Ecosystem Services in Cities” leads to fragmented insights. A more integrated examination of these three domains offers a holistic view and underscores the importance of considering ecosystem disservices. The study further identifies key research directions, including the need for a comprehensive evaluation of diverse GI types, especially those that are under-researched, such as green roofs, sports areas, and wetlands, and the underexplored role of cultural ecosystem services. Additionally, future research should consider both the benefits and disservices of GI to support better urban planning decisions. Finally, integrating biophysical, social, and economic values of ESs is critical for providing more holistic insights and enhancing sustainable urban development. The novelty of this paper lies in its integrated, holistic approach to examining GI and ESs in urban areas, with a focus on ecosystem disservices, insufficient attention to specific GI types, and the role of cultural ecosystem services—each contributing to the creation of more resilient and sustainable cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Milena V. Sokolova & Brian D. Fath & Umberto Grande & Elvira Buonocore & Pier Paolo Franzese, 2024. "The Role of Green Infrastructure in Providing Urban Ecosystem Services: Insights from a Bibliometric Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:10:p:1664-:d:1497353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jorge H. Amorim & Magnuz Engardt & Christer Johansson & Isabel Ribeiro & Magnus Sannebro, 2021. "Regulating and Cultural Ecosystem Services of Urban Green Infrastructure in the Nordic Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Merve Ersoy Mirici, 2022. "The Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure: A Systematic Review and the Gap of Economic Valuation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Davies, Clive & Lafortezza, Raffaele, 2017. "Urban green infrastructure in Europe: Is greenspace planning and policy compliant?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 93-101.
    4. Claudia de Luca & Sandra Naumann & McKenna Davis & Simona Tondelli, 2021. "Nature-Based Solutions and Sustainable Urban Planning in the European Environmental Policy Framework: Analysis of the State of the Art and Recommendations for Future Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-22, April.
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    2. Kang Li & Hui Qian & Siqi Li & Zhiming Cao & Panpan Tian & Xiaoxin Shi & Jie Chen & Yanyan Gao, 2025. "Quantifying the Driving Forces of Water Conservation Using Geodetector with Optimized Parameters: A Case Study of the Yiluo River Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-25, January.

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