IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v13y2024i9p1492-d1478123.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Eco-Spatial Indices as an Effective Tool for Climate Change Adaptation in Residential Neighbourhoods—Comparative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Renata Giedych

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Gabriela Maksymiuk

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Agata Cieszewska

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Eco-spatial indices are commonly used tools to improve the quality of the environment in cities. Initially modelled on the Berlin BAF, indices have evolved to address current challenges, particularly climate change adaptation. The Ratio of Biologically Vital Areas (RBVA), introduced in Poland in the mid-1990s, is an early planning tool for implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) at the site level. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the RBVA in Poland compared to its counterparts in Oslo and Malmö. The study employed a serious simulation game developed under the Norwegian-funded CoAdapt project, testing six development scenarios, varied in terms of applied NbSs, for a typical multi-family housing estate. The adaptive potential of the tested scenarios was assessed based on the values of five environmental parameters calculated in the game; that is, air temperature, oxygen production, CO 2 sequestration, rainwater harvesting, and biodiversity. The findings revealed that the RBVA, in its current form, has limited effectiveness in supporting climate adaptation. Its two-dimensional nature makes it less effective than the more comprehensive Green Factors used in Oslo and Malmö. The research presented in the article proves that better-constructed indices result in the efficiency of applied NbSs and consequently better adaptation to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Renata Giedych & Gabriela Maksymiuk & Agata Cieszewska, 2024. "Eco-Spatial Indices as an Effective Tool for Climate Change Adaptation in Residential Neighbourhoods—Comparative Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:9:p:1492-:d:1478123
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/9/1492/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/9/1492/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. M. Žuvela-Aloise & R. Koch & S. Buchholz & B. Früh, 2016. "Modelling the potential of green and blue infrastructure to reduce urban heat load in the city of Vienna," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(3), pages 425-438, April.
    2. Judy Bush & Gavin Ashley & Ben Foster & Gail Hall, 2021. "Integrating Green Infrastructure into Urban Planning: Developing Melbourne’s Green Factor Tool," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 20-31.
    3. Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali, 2014. "State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 411-428.
    4. McPhearson, Timon & Andersson, Erik & Elmqvist, Thomas & Frantzeskaki, Niki, 2015. "Resilience of and through urban ecosystem services," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 12(C), pages 152-156.
    5. Abdul Naser Majidi & Zoran Vojinovic & Alida Alves & Sutat Weesakul & Arlex Sanchez & Floris Boogaard & Jeroen Kluck, 2019. "Planning Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Flood Reduction and Thermal Comfort Enhancement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-27, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. SangHyeok Lee & Donghyun Kim, 2022. "Multidisciplinary Understanding of the Urban Heating Problem and Mitigation: A Conceptual Framework for Urban Planning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Florian Reinwald & Christiane Brandenburg & Anna Gabor & Peter Hinterkörner & Astrid Kainz & Florian Kraus & Zita Ring & Bernhard Scharf & Tanja Tötzer & Doris Damyanovic, 2021. "Multi-Level Toolset for Steering Urban Green Infrastructure to Support the Development of Climate-Proofed Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-23, November.
    3. Remme, Roy P. & Meacham, Megan & Pellowe, Kara E. & Andersson, Erik & Guerry, Anne D. & Janke, Benjamin & Liu, Lingling & Lonsdorf, Eric & Li, Meng & Mao, Yuanyuan & Nootenboom, Christopher & Wu, Tong, 2024. "Aligning nature-based solutions with ecosystem services in the urban century," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    4. Meixler, Marcia S., 2017. "Assessment of Hurricane Sandy damage and resulting loss in ecosystem services in a coastal-urban setting," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 28-46.
    5. Abdullah Addas, 2023. "Understanding the Relationship between Urban Biophysical Composition and Land Surface Temperature in a Hot Desert Megacity (Saudi Arabia)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    6. Floris C. Boogaard & Guri Venvik & Rui L. Pedroso de Lima & Ana C. Cassanti & Allard H. Roest & Antal Zuurman, 2020. "ClimateCafé: An Interdisciplinary Educational Tool for Sustainable Climate Adaptation and Lessons Learned," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    7. Mihalakakou, Giouli & Souliotis, Manolis & Papadaki, Maria & Menounou, Penelope & Dimopoulos, Panayotis & Kolokotsa, Dionysia & Paravantis, John A. & Tsangrassoulis, Aris & Panaras, Giorgos & Giannako, 2023. "Green roofs as a nature-based solution for improving urban sustainability: Progress and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    8. Gülşah Kaçmaz Akkurt & Seda Şemsiyeci, 2024. "Evaluation of Nature-Based Solutions to Improve the Urban Microclimate in Mediterranean Climate Conditions: A Case Study of Izmir-Karsıyaka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-20, March.
    9. Rashidi, Hamidreza & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali & GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein & Nik Sulaiman, Nik Meriam & Tookey, John & Hashim, Nur Awanis, 2015. "Application of wastewater treatment in sustainable design of green built environments: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 845-856.
    10. Margareth Viecco & Sergio Vera & Héctor Jorquera & Waldo Bustamante & Jorge Gironás & Cynnamon Dobbs & Eduardo Leiva, 2018. "Potential of Particle Matter Dry Deposition on Green Roofs and Living Walls Vegetation for Mitigating Urban Atmospheric Pollution in Semiarid Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    11. Gregg C. Brill & Pippin M. L. Anderson & Patrick O’Farrell, 2022. "Relational Values of Cultural Ecosystem Services in an Urban Conservation Area: The Case of Table Mountain National Park, South Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-28, April.
    12. Andrea Pianella & Lu Aye & Zhengdong Chen & Nicholas S. G. Williams, 2017. "Substrate Depth, Vegetation and Irrigation Affect Green Roof Thermal Performance in a Mediterranean Type Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
    13. Jacqueline Theis & Christopher K. Woolley & Philip J. Seddon & Danielle F. Shanahan & Claire Freeman & Maibritt Pedersen Zari & Yolanda van Heezik, 2025. "The New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Residential (NZBF-R): A Tool to Rapidly Score the Relative Biodiversity Value of Urban Residential Developments," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-32, March.
    14. Andrea D’Aniello & Luigi Cimorelli & Luca Cozzolino & Domenico Pianese, 2019. "The Effect of Geological Heterogeneity and Groundwater Table Depth on the Hydraulic Performance of Stormwater Infiltration Facilities," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 33(3), pages 1147-1166, February.
    15. Vera, Sergio & Pinto, Camilo & Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar & Bustamante, Waldo, 2018. "A critical review of heat and mass transfer in vegetative roof models used in building energy and urban enviroment simulation tools," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 752-764.
    16. Wang, Chenghao & Wang, Zhi-Hua & Kaloush, Kamil E. & Shacat, Joseph, 2021. "Cool pavements for urban heat island mitigation: A synthetic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    17. Carlo Alberto Campiotti & Carlo Bibbiani & Alberto Campiotti & Evelia Schettini & Corinna Viola & Giuliano Vox, 2016. "Innovative sustainable strategies in agro-food systems and in buildings for energy efficiency," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(2), pages 79-96.
    18. Yasser Jezzini & Ghiwa Assaf & Rayan H. Assaad, 2023. "Models and Methods for Quantifying the Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits and Challenges of Green Infrastructure: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-40, May.
    19. Duan, Shuangping & Luo, Zhiwen & Yang, Xinyan & Li, Yuguo, 2019. "The impact of building operations on urban heat/cool islands under urban densification: A comparison between naturally-ventilated and air-conditioned buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 129-138.
    20. Liu, Jiahong & Wang, Jia & Ding, Xiangyi & Shao, Weiwei & Mei, Chao & Li, Zejin & Wang, Kaibo, 2020. "Assessing the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from a green infrastructure-based urban drainage system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:9:p:1492-:d:1478123. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.