Conference Agenda

This study is part of the European Union-Next Generation EU funded research on Urban green infrastructure, policies related to green spaces, and health outcomes, focusing on the relationships between green areas, public health, and climate change adaptation policies. The research addresses the question on how the characteristics and spatial organization of urban green areas can influence public health and climate resilience in medium-sized Italian cities. Combining insights from geography, urban planning, and public health, the study evaluates green spaces based on their accessibility, proximity, and quality, using cities in Tuscany and Lazio as case studies.

The theoretical framework integrates urban health and climate adaptation paradigms, emphasizing the co-benefits of green spaces in mitigating environmental exposures (e.g., improved air quality, reduced heat) and promoting well-being (e.g., increased physical activity, social cohesion). Methodologically, the research employs Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and indicators such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), LST (Land Surface Temperature), woodland coefficient, and soil sealing degree to map and classify green areas. Proximity and accessibility analyses leverage official and OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to identify disparities in green space distribution.

Moreover, this paper aims to investigate the characteristics of green areas in order to define their quality. The equitable distribution of green spaces - considering factors such as green vigor, accessibility, distance, proximity to urban settings, and green space per capita - is then analyzed, divided into three main categories: urban parks, agricultural areas, and forest areas.

Preliminary results reveal some inequalities in green space availability and quality across different urban contexts, with implications for public health outcomes. By highlighting these disparities, the study underscores the necessity of integrating green infrastructure policies with public health strategies. This approach aligns with the concept of “healing cities,” which prioritize citizen well-being while addressing climate challenges.

The findings provide actionable insights for urban planning, offering a pathway to enhance the role of the green areas and, more in general, of the nature for health, through strategic green infrastructure development.

This study aims to scientifically justify the identification of suitable urban properties for urban green infrastructure (UGI) interventions to optimize its natural regulating functions for long-term pollution mitigation and secondary dust reduction. This study adheres to the perception that planning urban transformations to improve ambient air quality (AQ) requires a thorough understanding of urban structural heterogeneity and its interrelationship with the local microclimate. We apply an approach in which UGI and its potential multifunctionality are explored as a structural–functional element of urban local climatic zones. The same (100 × 100 m) spatial framework is used to develop place-based adapted solutions for intervention in UGI. A complex geospatial analysis of Burgas City, the second largest city (by area) in Bulgaria, was conducted by integrating 12 indicators to reveal the spatial disbalance of AQ regulation’ demand and UGI’s potential to supply ecosystem services. A total of 174 municipally owned properties have been identified, of which 79 are of priority importance, including for transport landscaping, inner-quarter spaces, and social infrastructure. Indicators of population density and location of social facilities were applied with the highest weight in the process of prioritizing sites. The study relies on public data and information from the integrated city platform of Burgas, in cooperation with the city’s government. The results have been discussed with stakeholders and implemented by the Municipality of Burgas in immediate greening measures in support of an ongoing program for Burgas Municipality AQ improvement.

Adapting cities to climate change is bringing new trends in urban green planning. Cities adapting to climate change are realizing that urban ecosystems have a significant role in mitigating heat waves and reducing direct runoff during heavy rainfall events. The development of green urban infrastructure is not possible without the participation of residents. The emerging generation of young people, their perception of green spaces and their ideas about urban planning and their public spaces play a key role in the future development of climate-resilient and healthy cities. Based on a broad online survey, we investigated the visual preferences of young adults in the Czech Republic for green spaces in their settlements. The survey was based on questions about the selection of graphically presented urban environments, their public spaces, housing typologies, and street profiles. The aim was to assess the links between the current state and the ideal vision of the future environment of settlements. Part of the survey also reveals preferences for public space amenities (green or technical infrastructure elements) in the form of a participatory budget game. The identified visual preferences of the young generation (15–18 years old) should be understood as a potential ideal image that is influenced by specific factors associated with the general characteristics of Generation Z (or Alpha), such as their relationship to technology, ideas about employment, and their relationship to the environment and sustainability. Based on the research results, recommendations were made for local governments on how to communicate with the young age group, how to involve them in planning, and above all, what environment to create for their lives.

Urbanization, climate chance, and more extreme weather patterns have increased flood risk in recent years. Communities worldwide are facing more severe and frequent flood events due to intensified storms and rising sea levels. Coping capacities and adaptation are key factors in reducing vulnerabilities of the affected population, hence leading to risk reduction. In this context, risk communication and public awareness are critical, however, people are often not aware of their exposure to risk. People have differing risk perceptions and coping capacities based on socio-economic factors and experiences, and therefore, their perception needs to be included for adequate risk communication. In addition, in just risk communication, it is essential to be aware of digital and language barriers due to an ageing society and increased migration as well as available coping strategies based on previous experiences and local knowledge. Furthermore, green and blue infrastructure are important nature-based solutions (NBS) for consequences of climate change and the wellbeing of urban dwellers. Thus, NBS can adapt urban areas to storm water while providing co-benefits for citizens such as recreational areas and cooling effects. Similar to risks, the awareness of such NBS is essential so that citizens are willing to accept and even support them. Local knowledge is crucial in the planning of NBS and thus, a dialogue between citizens and planners is required.

The first research objective of our study is to define the characteristics of individual risk awareness in order to establish categories for personalized risk communication. The second focusses on developing a conceptual approach to evaluate the influence of flood risk awareness on the awareness of NBS and vice versa.

Methods comprise of an in-depth literature review and collaborative methods from transdisciplinary research to account for diverse cultures, policies, experiences, and socio-economic factors. Interviews and surveys complement these methods. The framework is tested and evaluated in a pilot study in a European urban area.

The expected outcomes will provide new insights for individualized risk communication and successful implementation of urban green and blue infrastructure as NBS.