Green infrastructure

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Green infrastructure

Green infrastructure, also called blue-green infrastructure, describes a strategically planned network of natural and near-natural areas with different natural features on different scales. The term was coined in the United States in the 1990s. The innovative concept was intended to provide answers to the environmental problems associated with the rapid growth in area in American cities . In this respect, the green infrastructure represents a new planning approach for landscape planning, which is based on a comprehensive and sustainable view of nature and landscape. In addition to ecological, socio-cultural, aesthetic and economic aspects, diverse socio-political goals such as climate change , biodiversity or social cohesion are integrated into the concept.

These biotope networks are intended to preserve biodiversity on the one hand and to strengthen and regenerate ecosystem functions and the potential for providing ecosystem services based on them on the other . As part of the implementation of green infrastructure, sustainable use of nature is fundamentally sought. Green infrastructure is conceptually opposed to concepts of gray and brown infrastructure and offers a cost-effective and permanent alternative to the purely functional gray infrastructure. Since the risk of loss of biodiversity in Europe is particularly high due to intensive land use and strong fragmentation, the concept of green infrastructure is strongly promoted by the EU.

background

Plants, animals and other organisms on earth form with their ecosystems and habitats the biodiversity of the earth. These ecosystems provide people with valuable services such as clean water, clean air and healthy food. However, these services are too often taken for granted and not used sustainably. Due to modern, intensive land use, many ecosystems, especially in Europe, are more fragmented than on any other continent. Despite the measures taken by the “ Natura 2000 ” network of protected areas, biodiversity in Europe remains at great risk. However, since a large number of ecosystem services depend on intact ecosystems and natural resources are not infinite, an attempt is now being made to protect the conservation of biodiversity and a diverse range of ecosystem services by implementing the concept of green infrastructure. In order to achieve this, fragmentation should be actively counteracted by creating a network of green areas. In order to achieve this, the participatory involvement of other land users and fields of action is necessary. Only in this way can the necessary acceptance and willingness of all actors and levels be ensured.

Ecosystem-based measures can also make a valuable contribution in the course of adaptation to global warming . For example, ecosystems can provide protection from flooding, regulate temperature and help reduce air pollution. The ecosystems themselves also have to adapt to climate change in order to continue to provide services for people. Great biodiversity is a prerequisite for successful adaptation. Since humans are dependent on these ecosystems and their services, they must try to enable this adaptation through appropriate planning measures and their implementation. The EU also sees great potential in the concept of green infrastructure for this topic.

Green infrastructure measures

Green infrastructure describes all elements of a network of connected green spaces and creates the spatial basis for sustainable use of ecosystems and their services. Here, protected areas are integrated into a common system together with the existing landscape. Some of these elements could be reforestation, green bridges, roofs or walls. Through strategic spatial planning , space is given back to nature in a targeted manner in order to promote the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In the course of this planning, for example, existing protected areas such as Natura 2000 areas are identified and so-called buffer zones are then developed around these areas and connections are created between the individual areas. These connections can be stepping stones, green bridges or eco-corridors. Another instrument that can be used here is the networking of biotopes, also called biotope network , which also ensures the preservation and survival of certain animal species by creating connections between individual biotopes.

The establishment of multifunctional areas can also be a measure of the green infrastructure. Different, mutually compatible uses are combined. In these areas, for example, the effects of climate change can be reduced and, at the same time, areas for recreation and compensation can be created. In addition to the multifunctionality, economic arguments for green infrastructure can also be cited. Despite high costs, for example for a flood prevention program, e.g. by relocating dikes and the associated renaturation , the costs incurred are relatively low compared to those caused by flood damage and protect the area and other areas downstream from flooding in the long term. The costs that would arise if ecosystem services had to be artificially replaced would also be enormous. The renaturation of floodplains, for example, offers more cost-effective and more natural flood protection than artificially created protective measures.

Green infrastructure plays a special role in urban areas. Here, the fragmentation of the green areas through sealing, e.g. through traffic and building infrastructure, and the associated loss of biodiversity is particularly pronounced. However, especially in cities, diverse ecosystem services can be provided if the concept of green infrastructure is pursued. For example, parks and green spaces can significantly improve air quality. Overgrown house walls can also make a major contribution by absorbing the heat generated by the (summer) solar radiation on the houses. These green walls wear u. a. helps to reduce the effect of urban “heat islands”.

The principle of the blue-green architecture is particularly effective for the climate. Hydrological elements such as measures for heavy rain prevention and urban water management are planned integrated with green elements. This approach creates interfaces in order to combine water demand and water supply synergistically. The intensive irrigation results in a higher evaporation rate, which in turn improves the cooling and filtering effect of the vegetation.

Approaches of the EU

As part of the 2020 biodiversity strategy , the EU wants to use the potential of green infrastructure to curb the loss of biodiversity in Europe. This is a concrete application of the concept of ecosystem services in politics. In March 2009 the EU Commission organized a workshop on the subject of “Green Infrastructure”. Two main components were identified that a green infrastructure in Europe should include: on the one hand, the preservation of European biodiversity and, on the other hand, the strengthening and regeneration of the functionality of ecosystems. Based on the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive and the network of Natura 2000 areas, a green infrastructure should be part of efficient spatial planning. Subsequently, in May 2013, the EU Commission published a new strategy for promoting the use of green infrastructure in Europe, which is part of the new multiannual financial framework (2014–2020). This strategy is based on four main pillars:

  1. Promotion of green infrastructure in the main EU policy areas, so that green infrastructure becomes a standard part of spatial planning and landscape development.
  2. Improving information and promoting innovation: the aim is to improve the knowledge base about ecosystems and their services. To this end, the EU supports ongoing mapping and evaluation work, and the exchange of information should also be improved.
  3. Improving access to finance: an EU financial tool to support biodiversity-related investments.
  4. Funding of green infrastructure projects at EU level: transnational projects are to be funded that can also serve as models for green infrastructure at national, regional and local level.

In addition, a “No-net-Loss” initiative is to be developed at European level in 2015, which can also be used as an instrument for implementing a green infrastructure. In order to successfully implement a green infrastructure across Europe, it is also necessary that other land users and fields of action are also involved. Such an initiative can only be successful in the long term if industry and private land users see an advantage in the implementation of these measures. This requires the formulation of a common, universally understandable concept, as introduced by the EU Commission in 2013.

Instruments

In principle, all types of planning, management and funding instruments for open space and landscape planning, including suitable strategies for nature conservation, are relevant for the development of green infrastructure. Classical urban planning instruments and other specialist planning are also important. An integrated approach is the best way to achieve the green infrastructure. This requires early knowledge of projects from different departments and timely coordination. The further development of the green infrastructure can take place in addition to the classic land-use planning with integrated landscape and green space planning, for example in the context of urban development projects, road renovations, water development and flood protection projects, forest management planning, recultivation projects and land consolidation processes.

Examples

Some examples of green infrastructure projects in Europe are the city of Liverpool in the UK, the Alpine-Carpathian Corridor or the Vittel catchment protection program.

The City of Liverpool in the UK has developed a Green Infrastructure Strategy to make the city more environmentally friendly and sustainable as a whole. The planning authorities are also interested in cooperation with the health sector and explicit consideration of health-promoting measures, which can be implemented through the implementation of a green infrastructure. Other goals of the structure include protection from flooding and better water management. In addition, more green spaces are to be created and individual districts are to be made more pedestrian-friendly in order to contribute to the relaxation and exercise of the residents. Here, the green infrastructure is already an integral part of urban planning and the city can thus set a good example and increase its reputation and competitiveness.

Since mountains are an important part of the green infrastructure in Europe, the aim of the project of the Alpine-Carpathian Corridor is to create a 120 km long biotope network from the Alps in Austria to the Carpathian Mountains in Slovakia. Here, too, the landscape is increasingly fragmented due to the intensification of agriculture and a growing transport infrastructure. This also restricts the wild animals in their freedom of movement. The aim of the project is not only to link the existing Natura 2000 areas, but also to promote the general permeability of the landscape. Publicity campaigns and environmental education measures are also part of the EU-funded project.

Since 1993 there has been a program of the mineral water company Vittel in a large water catchment area at the foot of the French Vosges, which uses the concept of Payments for Ecosystems Services (PES) to maintain water quality. Farmers in the catchment area receive payments if they adhere to the principles of good practice on their holdings. These are requirements for land use and for maintaining water quality. These contracts are long-term and are based on constant controls. This project is an example of the successful involvement of private stakeholders in the implementation of sustainable land use, which can make important contributions to the implementation of a green infrastructure.

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d I. Lucius, RD and D. Caratas: WWF Danube-Carpathian Program. F. Mey, J. Steinert, P. Torkle, WWF Germany: Green Infrastructure: Sustainable Investments for the Benefit of Both People and Nature. In: Surf Nature. 2011.
  2. ↑ European Commission: Communications from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Green Infrastructure (GI) - Appreciation of European Natural Capital 2013.
  3. ↑ European Commission: Green Infrastructure. 2010.
  4. ↑ a b European Commission, General Directorate Environment (Ed.): Aim: a green infrastructure in Europe. In: Natura 2000: Newsletter "Nature and Biodiversity" of the European Commission. Issue 27, 2009, pp. 3–7.
  5. ↑ a b c C. Neßhöfer, C. Kugel, I. Schniewind, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ: Ecosystem Services in the European Context: EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and “Green Infrastructure”. In: B. Hansjürgens, C. Neßhöver, I. Schniewind (eds.): The benefits of economy and ecosystem services for nature conservation practice. Workshop I: Introduction and Basics. BfN-Skripte 318, 2012, pp. 22-27.
  6. ^ Well, Friederike, and Ferdinand Ludwig. "Blue – Green Architecture: A Case Study Analysis Considering the Synergetic Effects of Water and Vegetation." Frontiers of Architectural Research, Elsevier, 13 Dec. 2019, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263519300822
  7. ^ Well, Friederike, and Ferdinand Ludwig. "Blue – Green Architecture: A Case Study Analysis Considering the Synergetic Effects of Water and Vegetation." Frontiers of Architectural Research, Elsevier, 13 Dec. 2019, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263519300822
  8. ↑ a b c European Commission, General Directorate Environment (Ed.): Green Infrastructure - Strengthening European Natural Capital. In: Natura 2000: Newsletter "Nature and Biodiversity" of the European Commission. Issue 34, 2013, pp. 10-13.
  9. ↑ M. Fritz: Green infrastructure in Europe - an integrative approach. In: Nature and Landscape. Volume 88, Issue 12, 2013, pp. 497–502.
  10. ↑ Urban green infrastructure: the basis for attractive and sustainable cities. (PDF) Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), 2017, accessed on July 26, 2017 .
  11. ↑ Liverpool City Council Planning Service: Liverpool Green Infrastructure Strategy. Technical Document. Version 1.0. 2010