Role of Vegetation as a Mitigating Factor in the Urban Context

Ferrini, F.; Fini, Alessio; Mori, Jacopo; Gori, Antonella

doi:10.3390/su12104247

Cited by 111 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 169 publications

(219 reference statements)

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“…Nigra, Pinus pinaster, Pinus radiata, Pinus silvestris and Thuja orientalis, Photinia fraseri , Photinia serru- lata , Spirea vanhouetti Nerium indicum , O ligostachyum lubricum , Cedrus deodara , Viburnum odoratissimum . (Erdogan and Yazgan 2007 ; Ozer et al 2008 ; Fan et al 2010 ; Onder and Kocbeker 2012 ; Ropus et al 2013 ; Ferrini et al 2020 ; Paul et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The measures that can be taken by the local government are as follows (Environmental Noise Directive 2002 ; Maffei and Masullo 2014 ; Mahler and Bohli 2015 ; Penton 2016 ; Dimitrijević 2017 ; Jacyna et al 2017 ; Jena et al 2018 ; Boren 2019 ; Ferrini et al 2020 ; EU-European Commission 2020a , b ): Ensuring that the new buildings to be built in the region comply with the "Protection of Buildings Against Noise” regulation. Replacing traditional asphalt pavement with more efficient alternative options (this is more effective than other options in reducing traffic noise), Increasing the number of noise-protected pedestrian zones by restricting vehicle traffic and unloading at certain times of the day, Increasing cycling paths, Regular maintenance of municipal vehicles, In the long term, preferring procurement of hybrid or electric vehicles for municipal services, In the long term, switching to hybrid or electric public transport vehicles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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GIS-based mapping and assessment of noise pollution in Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

Esmeray

Eren

2021

Environ Dev Sustain

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In this study, it is aimed to determine and map the noise pollution levels in Safranbolu District Center, especially in the regions where motor vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic is intense. Forty-seven measurement points were selected for noise level measurements at the district center. Measurements were conducted at morning (8 a.m.–10 a.m.), lunchtime (12 p.m.–2 p.m.) and evening (6 p.m.–8 p.m.) hours of weekdays and weekends throughout the seasons of summer 2017 and winter 2018. The summer season weekdays noise level ranges from 41.3 to 71.2 dBA in the morning period, 40 to 71.2 dBA in the noon period and 40.6 to 73.1 dBA in the evening. The summer season weekend noise level ranges from 45.3 to 69.1 dBA in the morning period, 44.7 to 71.4 dBA in the noon period and 41.6 to 70.9 dBA in the evening. The result showed that the level of summer season weekday and weekend noise pollution in the morning, noon and evening is close to each other. In addition, the winter season weekdays noise level ranges from 32.3 to 68.5 dBA in the morning period, 30.8 to 73.3 dBA in the noon period and 37.4 to 72.9 dBA in the evening. The winter season weekend noise level ranges from 37.2 to 65.8 dBA in the morning period, 40 to 71.3 dBA in the noon period and 40.5 to 69.7 dBA in the evening. The result showed that the level of winter season weekdays and weekend noise pollution in the noon is generally higher than morning and evening. The obtained data are compared with the limit values specified in the Environmental Hazard Assessment and Management Regulation. The hazardous noise level, which is considered as the threshold for causing physiological problems on humans, was determined to be exceeded at many locations. This situation may cause significant negative consequences on human health, quality of life and tourism sector. Obtained data were processed, and noise pollution levels for the city of Safranbolu were mapped using a geostatistical analysis software. In total, 16 noise pollution maps were drawn for different situations (e.g., weekdays, weekend, daytime, noon, night, summer season, winter season, etc.). Obtained noise level results demonstrate that the overall quality of the acoustic environment in our study area was medium level, which means that exposure to these levels over a long period can affect human health and quality of life. Finally, the results of a survey conducted as a part of this study were given, and possible measures and suggestions to reduce these noise levels in the district down to the desired limit values were discussed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10668-021-01303-5.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GIS-based mapping and assessment of noise pollution in Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

Esmeray

Eren

2021

Environ Dev Sustain

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“…Here, stress-response mechanisms help explain how excessive noise impacts cardiovascular, respiratory, immune response and metabolic systems [ 42 ]. In turn, acoustic research shows how structural components of vegetation buffers noise, and demonstrates that dense and diverse planting schemes provide particularly effective noise barriers [ 43 , 44 ]. Although urban populations may not always report strong satisfaction rates with environmental noise (reduction) in areas with greater land cover diversity [ 45 ], the physical processes through which vegetation attributes modify acoustics are nonetheless clear [ 43 , 46 ].…”

Section: Recent Research Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment

Marselle

Lindley

Cook

et al. 2021

Curr Envir Health Rpt

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Purpose of review Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent findings Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. Summary A key research gap is to understand—and evidence—the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.

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“…Thermal analyses in cities should consider all the artificial and natural components interacting with the urban ecosystem. Vegetation [14], tree cover and impervious surfaces [11,15], water bodies [16], surface albedo [17], urban morphology [18] and solar radiation exposure [19] were identified as important indicators able to modify urban microclimatic conditions as they play an important role in the surface energy balance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Summer Diurnal Hot-Spot Analysis: The Role of Local Urban Features Layers

et al. 2021

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This study was focused on the metropolitan area of Florence in Tuscany (Italy) with the aim of mapping and evaluating thermal summer diurnal hot- and cool-spots in relation to the features of greening, urban surfaces, and city morphology. The work was driven by Landsat 8 land surface temperature (LST) data related to 2015–2019 summer daytime periods. Hot-spot analysis was performed adopting Getis-Ord Gi* spatial statistics applied on mean summer LST datasets to obtain location and boundaries of hot- and cool-spot areas. Each hot- and cool-spot was classified by using three significance threshold levels: 90% (LEVEL-1), 95% (LEVEL-2), and 99% (LEVEL-3). A set of open data urban elements directly or indirectly related to LST at local scale were calculated for each hot- and cool-spot area: (1) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), (2) tree cover (TC), (3) water bodies (WB), (4) impervious areas (IA), (5) mean spatial albedo (ALB), (6) surface areas (SA), (7) Shape index (SI), (8) Sky View Factor (SVF), (9) theoretical solar radiation (RJ), and (10) mean population density (PD). A General Dominance Analysis (GDA) framework was adopted to investigate the relative importance of urban factors affecting thermal hot- and cool-spot areas. The results showed that 11.5% of the studied area is affected by cool-spots and 6.5% by hot-spots. The average LST variation between hot- and cold-spot areas was about 10 °C and it was 15 °C among the extreme hot- and cool-spot levels (LEVEL-3). Hot-spot detection was magnified by the role of vegetation (NDVI and TC) combined with the significant contribution of other urban elements. In particular, TC, NDVI and ALB were identified as the most significant predictors (p-values < 0.001) of the most extreme cool-spot level (LEVEL-3). NDVI, PD, ALB, and SVF were selected as the most significant predictors (p-values < 0.05 for PD and SVF; p-values < 0.001 for NDVI and ALB) of the hot-spot LEVEL-3. In this study, a reproducible methodology was developed applicable to any urban context by using available open data sources.

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Role of Vegetation as a Mitigating Factor in the Urban Context

Cited by 111 publications

References 169 publications

GIS-based mapping and assessment of noise pollution in Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

GIS-based mapping and assessment of noise pollution in Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment

Thermal Summer Diurnal Hot-Spot Analysis: The Role of Local Urban Features Layers

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