Mapping green infrastructure and socioeconomic indicators as a public management tool: the case of the municipalities of Andalusia (Spain)

Abstract

Background Green Infrastructure (GI) is defined as a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural spaces that provide society, in both rural and urban areas, with a large number of goods and services of great value and economic importance such as clean air and water, carbon storage, pollination or protection against the effects of climate change. Traditionally, municipalities, like other territorial units, are characterized by a series of social and economic indicators that determine their degree of local development. The objective of this article is to identify and assess, through a system of indicators, what role urban and rural municipalities in Andalusia (Spain) play in the provision and reception of ecosystem services. To this end, Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques are used and a cluster analysis is carried out to contrast the results. Results Rural municipalities show the largest portion of GI area in the whole region. However, they show a low socioeconomic level, with high unemployment rates. Conclusions It can be said that the municipalities in rural areas are "ecologically" financing the entire Andalusian population. Faced with this situation, the decisions, and actions of policymakers in this region should aim at promoting measures that can restore and conserve GIs, addressing the demographic and/or socioeconomic imbalances of the region.

Planning a Green Infrastructure Network from Theory to Practice: The Case Study of Setúbal, Portugal

“…One of the strengths of the methodology proposed in this paper is the multi-step approach to the green infrastructure planning process, which was based on reliable, current, and locally relevant knowledge. A collection of the existing knowledge on ecosystems and their condition, as well as the cultural heritage of the municipality, resulted in the inclusion of both biophysical and sociocultural indicators, similar to the study of Caparrós et al [37]. The inclusion of these indicators was crucial to guaranteeing that the green infrastructure responded to the environmental and cultural needs of the municipality, as well as its inhabitants.…”

“…Regarding the biophysical analysis, the considered elements were grouped into four main domains: morphology, which included the altimetry, hypsometry, lithology, and slopes and downslope direction analysis; hydrology and soils, which included the river streams and types of soil; climatology, which included the solar radiation, wind, precipitation, and temperature; and finally, biology, which included vegetation and fauna [36]. All these elements were obtained and analyzed through a geographical information system, similar to other studies [37,38]. As for the cultural, educational, and leisure heritage analysis, the following variables were considered: land cover and land use, demography, architectural and archaeological heritage, and landscape elements.…”

Understanding Green Street Design: Evidence from Three Cases in the U.S.

“…Additional services provided by the GI include social benefits such as inclusion and civic engagement, recreation and psychological services [18,28,29], and aesthetic enjoyment and education [1]. Besides, economic benefits mainly comprise property value enhancement [30][31][32], goods and food production [18,33,34], and they attract a skilled workforce [22]. The reduction of social vulnerability and increased access to green space [14] are other examples of these services.…”

“…Mitchell and Popham [40], de Vries et al [41], Grahn and Stigsdotter [42], Akpinar et al [23], Douglas et al [24], van den Bosch and Nieuwenhuijsen [22], van Vliet and Hammond [25], Caparrós Martínez et al [34] Aesthetics and positive valuation Nowak et al [43], Jim and Chen [44], Price [45], Zhou and Parves Rana [1] Zwierzchowska et al [29] Perviousness Filtration non-point pollutants Arnold and Gibbons [46], Characklis and Wiesner [47], Transportation Research Board [48] Wastewater cost reduction or rainfall interception…”

“…Niemczynowicz [49], Hogland and Niemczynowicz [50], Grunwald et al [27], Jiménez et al [13], Meerow and Newell [14] Ground water recharge Hogland and Niemczynowicz [50], Caparrós Martínez et al [34] Processing…”