We have already seen it in previous publications of our team where we named the environmental management of green spaces in urban cities, the strong presence of nature-based solutions (NBS) in infrastructure projects in Latin America, urban naturalization as a tool to enhance the generation of ecosystem services and all this role of nature as a great intangible benefit that generates individual and collective experiences when we are surrounded by it.
At the same time, it is not new for different countries in the world that measures are being taken to increase access to green spaces within urban areas through a change in the management of cities to achieve a benefit beyond the economic one. This type of management is focused on territorial planning, with a focus on biodiversity, changing a bit the common urbanism, to an integrated urbanism with natural elements: green infrastructure and blue infrastructure.
These two types of infrastructure, which always go hand in hand, are a proven tool that provides ecological, economic and social benefits through natural solutions. Green infrastructure refers to the natural, and blue infrastructure refers to bodies of water. When both tools are incorporated into land planning, it is possible to achieve a complex but complete landscape that also provides physical and psychological benefits.
But it is not only about including some trees in the cities, it is about achieving that all natural elements and bodies of water are interconnected with the city. That this connectivity is achieved through natural and biological networks immersed in the urban infrastructure, and to achieve what we at Fronda try to encourage and work for: a group of cities that have a great value for their environmental quality.
Now, to achieve all these benefits that we have mentioned, it is essential to take into account the components of green infrastructure:
– Protected areas that can be found within urban areas and are important within land use planning.
– Healthy ecosystems and areas of high ecological value that can be part of connectivity, such as wetlands, floodplains, shorelines, grasslands and natural forests
– Natural elements of high landscape value such as watercourses or hedgerows that can act as green corridors and increase connectivity
– Urban elements such as parks, frontages and green roofs that enhance ecosystem functioning and the provision of socio-ecosystem services
– Elements that support climate change mitigation and adaptation
– Reclaimed or restored patches of habitat to enhance species migration and dispersal
– Artificial elements such as ecoducts or green bridges that favor mobility through impassable barriers.
– Multifunctional areas that promote environmentally friendly land use, such as spaces where agricultural, forestry, recreational, and conservation uses coexist with nature.
Can you imagine if we manage to have cities with all these components, what would it be like if we comply with the 3-30-300 rule named by the WHO?
That from our window we can see at least 3 trees, that, when we go out and look at the sky, we can see at least 30 meters of vegetation around us, and that we don’t have to walk more than 300m to find a green space where we can share with nature and people.
Nothing is impossible; with teamwork, good communication, and respect for our rights, we can achieve day by day these changes that will lead us to live in wonderful cities.
References
Calaza Martínez, P. (2024). Ser o ser de la infraestructura verde urbana. Equipamientos y servicios municipales.
Calaza Martínez, P. (2022). Infraestructura verde como sistema natural de salud pública. El caso de La Coruña. 82-97. En Diputación de Barcelona: Ciudad y Salud. Servicio de Urbanismo de la Diputacióń de Barcelona.
Haene, E. (2020). Biocorredores de la ciudad autónoma de Buenos aires, un modelo demostrativo para la Argentina
Higueras García E. (2013). La ciudad como Ecosistema urbano
Front image: mrsiraphol in Freepik
