Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas

The reintroduction of natural components into the urban environment has several benefits for the adaptation of urban environments. The urban green infrastructure (UGI) approach makes it possible to develop greening programs on a sound scientific basis and in connection with the ability to provide ec...

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Main Author: Maria Stella Lux
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1859
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author Maria Stella Lux
author_facet Maria Stella Lux
author_sort Maria Stella Lux
collection DOAJ
description The reintroduction of natural components into the urban environment has several benefits for the adaptation of urban environments. The urban green infrastructure (UGI) approach makes it possible to develop greening programs on a sound scientific basis and in connection with the ability to provide ecosystem services. However, in practice, UGI programs are almost exclusively based on the concept of a continuous green network, which requires large-scale interventions such as green corridors and parks. This severely limits the extension of UGI in dense urban areas such as historic centers. This article introduces the concept of green fragments and proposes an integrative approach to support greater spatial flexibility of the UGI. By setting appropriate limits on the number and proximity of green fragments, the resulting green system keeps functional connectivity despite being physically discontinuous. The proposed approach was tested in the case study of the historical center of Milan, leading to the proposal of integrations regarding the identification and mapping of the existing UGI and the planning of its future extension.
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spelling doaj-art-74bbb87d4664496baa63eb00b6eeb5d22024-11-26T18:09:31ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-11-011311185910.3390/land13111859Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban AreasMaria Stella Lux0Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, ItalyThe reintroduction of natural components into the urban environment has several benefits for the adaptation of urban environments. The urban green infrastructure (UGI) approach makes it possible to develop greening programs on a sound scientific basis and in connection with the ability to provide ecosystem services. However, in practice, UGI programs are almost exclusively based on the concept of a continuous green network, which requires large-scale interventions such as green corridors and parks. This severely limits the extension of UGI in dense urban areas such as historic centers. This article introduces the concept of green fragments and proposes an integrative approach to support greater spatial flexibility of the UGI. By setting appropriate limits on the number and proximity of green fragments, the resulting green system keeps functional connectivity despite being physically discontinuous. The proposed approach was tested in the case study of the historical center of Milan, leading to the proposal of integrations regarding the identification and mapping of the existing UGI and the planning of its future extension.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1859urban green infrastructuregreen networkgreen fragmentsurban courtyardscompact cityMilan
spellingShingle Maria Stella Lux
Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas
Land
urban green infrastructure
green network
green fragments
urban courtyards
compact city
Milan
title Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas
title_full Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas
title_fullStr Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas
title_full_unstemmed Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas
title_short Networks and Fragments: An Integrative Approach for Planning Urban Green Infrastructures in Dense Urban Areas
title_sort networks and fragments an integrative approach for planning urban green infrastructures in dense urban areas
topic urban green infrastructure
green network
green fragments
urban courtyards
compact city
Milan
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1859
work_keys_str_mv AT mariastellalux networksandfragmentsanintegrativeapproachforplanningurbangreeninfrastructuresindenseurbanareas