IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/lauspo/v97y2020ics0264837718309621.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding the term green infrastructure: origins, rationales, semantic content and purposes as well as its relevance for application in spatial planning

Author

Listed:
  • Seiwert, Anne
  • Rößler, Stefanie

Abstract

Recently the term green infrastructure has come to shape professional and scientific debate, political strategies and practical approaches concerning green space development, particularly in urban areas. Actors from all fields of spatial development and planning are referencing this as an emergent approach, which is expected to have a considerable environmental and socio-economic impact. The wide and ubiquitous use of the term in planning debates fosters an impression of agreement in its definition and meaning. Yet several theoretical studies and manifold practical observations confirm a variety of definitions and meanings of this “new” approach in the scientific, political and practical arenas, ranging from simply a buzzword to a mature approach. Clearly, this confusion in meaning has a practical relevance for planning. It seems wise, therefore, to raise awareness and deepen our understanding of the different conceptions of the term green infrastructure. This paper aims to systematically analyse and clarify the contextual, geographical and temporal origins of green infrastructure, as well as its impact on rationales, semantic content and main purposes for spatial planning. To this end, a content analysis of relevant literature has been conducted to reveal the strands which influence the current debate as well as the application of green infrastructure in planning practice. These results are used to derive key statements as a foundation for further critical reflection and conscious application of the term green infrastructure within spatial planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Seiwert, Anne & Rößler, Stefanie, 2020. "Understanding the term green infrastructure: origins, rationales, semantic content and purposes as well as its relevance for application in spatial planning," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:97:y:2020:i:c:s0264837718309621
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104785
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837718309621
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104785?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Scott & Mick Lennon & Dagmar Haase & Aleksandra Kazmierczak & Gerry Clabby & Tim Beatley, 2016. "Nature-based solutions for the contemporary city/Re-naturing the city/Reflections on urban landscapes, ecosystems services and nature-based solutions in cities/Multifunctional green infrastructure and," Planning Theory & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 267-300, April.
    2. Ian Mell & Simone Allin & Mario Reimer & Jost Wilker, 2017. "Strategic green infrastructure planning in Germany and the UK: a transnational evaluation of the evolution of urban greening policy and practice," International Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 333-349, October.
    3. Ian C. Mell, 2017. "Green infrastructure: reflections on past, present and future praxis," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 135-145, February.
    4. Martina Artmann & Olaf Bastian & Karsten Grunewald, 2017. "Using the Concepts of Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services to Specify Leitbilder for Compact and Green Cities—The Example of the Landscape Plan of Dresden (Germany)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-26, February.
    5. Gunilla Lindholm, 2017. "The Implementation of Green Infrastructure: Relating a General Concept to Context and Site," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-13, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Oxana Klimanova & Olga Illarionova & Karsten Grunewald & Elena Bukvareva, 2021. "Green Infrastructure, Urbanization, and Ecosystem Services: The Main Challenges for Russia’s Largest Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Yongyan Zhu & Seongwoo Jeon & Hyunchan Sung & Yoonji Kim & Chiyoung Park & Sungeun Cha & Hyun-woo Jo & Woo-kyun Lee, 2020. "Developing UAV-Based Forest Spatial Information and Evaluation Technology for Efficient Forest Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Hubert Job & Constantin Meyer & Oriana Coronado & Simon Koblar & Peter Laner & Andrea Omizzolo & Guido Plassmann & Walter Riedler & Philipp Vesely & Arthur Schindelegger, 2022. "Open Spaces in the European Alps—GIS-Based Analysis and Implications for Spatial Planning from a Transnational Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Fernando Chapa & María Perez Rubi & Jochen Hack, 2023. "A Systematic Assessment for the Co-Design of Green Infrastructure Prototypes—A Case Study in Urban Costa Rica," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Wende, Wolfgang & Walz, Ulrich & Stein, Christian, 2020. "Evaluating municipal landscape plans and their influence on selected aspects of landscape development – An empirical study from Germany," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    6. Jiao Zhang & Qian Wang & Yiping Xia & Katsunori Furuya, 2022. "Knowledge Map of Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development: A Visual Analysis Using CiteSpace," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-24, February.
    7. Huamei Shao & Gunwoo Kim & Qing Li & Galen Newman, 2021. "Web of Science-Based Green Infrastructure: A Bibliometric Analysis in CiteSpace," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
    8. Ralf-Uwe Syrbe & Ina Neumann & Karsten Grunewald & Patrycia Brzoska & Jiři Louda & Birgit Kochan & Jan Macháč & Lenka Dubová & Petr Meyer & Jan Brabec & Olaf Bastian, 2021. "The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-26, March.
    9. Rocío Pineda-Martos & Cristina S. C. Calheiros, 2021. "Nature-Based Solutions in Cities—Contribution of the Portuguese National Association of Green Roofs to Urban Circularity," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 1019-1035, November.
    10. Małgorzata Sztubecka & Alicja Maciejko & Marta Skiba, 2022. "The Landscape of the Spa Parks Creation through Components Influencing Environmental Perception Using Multi-Criteria Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, May.
    11. Guglielmo Pristeri & Viviana di Martino & Silvia Ronchi & Stefano Salata & Francesca Mazza & Andrea Benedini & Andrea Arcidiacono, 2023. "An Operational Model to Downscale Regional Green Infrastructures in Supra-Local Plans: A Case Study in an Italian Alpine Sub-Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-25, July.
    12. Damjana Gantar & Jana Kozamernik & Ina Šuklje Erjavec & Simon Koblar, 2022. "From Intention to Implementation of Vertical Green: The Case of Ljubljana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.

    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. Angela Heymans & Jessica Breadsell & Gregory M. Morrison & Joshua J. Byrne & Christine Eon, 2019. "Ecological Urban Planning and Design: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Karsten Rusche & Mario Reimer & Rico Stichmann, 2019. "Mapping and Assessing Green Infrastructure Connectivity in European City Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Renato Monteiro & José C. Ferreira & Paula Antunes, 2020. "Green Infrastructure Planning Principles: An Integrated Literature Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Fernando Castillo-Cabrera & Thilo Wellmann & Dagmar Haase, 2020. "Urban Green Fabric Analysis Promoting Sustainable Planning in Guatemala City," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-26, December.
    5. Raffaello Furlan & Brian R. Sinclair, 2021. "Planning for a neighborhood and city-scale green network system in Qatar: the case of MIA Park," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14933-14957, October.
    6. Yongyan Zhu & Seongwoo Jeon & Hyunchan Sung & Yoonji Kim & Chiyoung Park & Sungeun Cha & Hyun-woo Jo & Woo-kyun Lee, 2020. "Developing UAV-Based Forest Spatial Information and Evaluation Technology for Efficient Forest Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Sergio Cappucci & Serena Nappi & Andrea Cappelli, 2022. "Green Public Areas and Urban Open Spaces Management: New GreenCAL Tool Algorithms and Circular Economy Implications," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    8. Alexandra Titz & Sosten S. Chiotha, 2019. "Pathways for Sustainable and Inclusive Cities in Southern and Eastern Africa through Urban Green Infrastructure?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-27, May.
    9. Martí, Pablo & García-Mayor, Clara & Nolasco-Cirugeda, Almudena & Serrano-Estrada, Leticia, 2020. "Green infrastructure planning: Unveiling meaningful spaces through Foursquare users’ preferences," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    10. Razieh Zandieh & Javier Martinez & Johannes Flacke, 2019. "Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking and Inequalities in Neighbourhood Green Spaces Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-18, November.
    11. Carolina Yacamán Ochoa & Daniel Ferrer Jiménez & Rafael Mata Olmo, 2020. "Green Infrastructure Planning in Metropolitan Regions to Improve the Connectivity of Agricultural Landscapes and Food Security," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-23, October.
    12. Tahvonen, Outi & Airaksinen, Miimu, 2018. "Low-density housing in sustainable urban planning – Scaling down to private gardens by using the green infrastructure concept," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 478-485.
    13. Anna Staniewska, 2022. "Gardens of Historic Mental Health Hospitals and Their Potential Use for Green Therapy Purposes," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, September.
    14. Burné van Zyl & E. Juaneé Cilliers & Louis G. Lategan & Sarel S. Cilliers, 2021. "Closing the Gap Between Urban Planning and Urban Ecology: A South African Perspective," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(4), pages 122-134.
    15. Aitziber Egusquiza & Maider Arana-Bollar & Amaia Sopelana & Javier Babí Almenar, 2021. "Conceptual and Operational Integration of Governance, Financing, and Business Models for Urban Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-28, October.
    16. Minseo Kim & Christoph D. D. Rupprecht & Katsunori Furuya, 2018. "Residents’ Perception of Informal Green Space—A Case Study of Ichikawa City, Japan," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-20, September.
    17. Chloé Duffaut & Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste & Pierre-Antoine Versini, 2022. "Barriers and Levers for the Implantation of Sustainable Nature-Based Solutions in Cities: Insights from France," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    18. Sabine van Rooij & Wim Timmermans & Onno Roosenschoon & Saskia Keesstra & Marjolein Sterk & Bas Pedroli, 2020. "Landscape-Based Visions as Powerful Boundary Objects in Spatial Planning: Lessons from Three Dutch Projects," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.
    19. Linrun Qiu & Yuxiang Dong & Hai Liu, 2022. "Integrating Ecosystem Services into Planning Practice: Situation, Challenges and Inspirations," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, April.
    20. Elin Slätmo & Kjell Nilsson & Eeva Turunen, 2019. "Implementing Green Infrastructure in Spatial Planning in Europe," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-21, April.

    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:eee:lauspo:v:97:y:2020:i:c:s0264837718309621. 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: Joice Jiang (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/land-use-policy .

    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.