Understanding the Linkages and Importance of Urban Greenspaces for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2030

Abstract

Urban greenspaces have an immense contribution to the social, environmental, and economic spectrums of sustainable development. These three spectrums are also the foundation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Thus, this interdependence nature offers an opportunity to study the linkages between urban greenspaces and SDGs targets for acknowledging the importance of urban greenspaces for achieving SDGs 2030. To understand the linkages, the study follows a qualitative study approach. In the approach, a convenient systematic literature search technique has been employed to define urban greenspaces and identify empirical evidence on greenspaces’ contribution to different SDG targets. For ensuring the authenticity and validity of the findings, the study includes only peer-reviewed articles in the systematic technique. Results suggest an immediate association between urban greenspaces and SDG target 11.7, which emphasizes explicitly the provision (quality, quantity, and accessibility) of urban parks and playgrounds for the physical and mental wellbeing of urban citizens, typically the social spectrum of sustainable development. In addition to the apparent link, fourteen more underlying connections have been identified where urban greenspaces can contribute to fourteen different SDG targets. These underlying connections acknowledge the importance of urban greenspaces for achieving SDGs 2030.

Keep Calm and Go Out: Urban Nature Exposure, Mental Health, and Perceived Value during the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…Lastly, our findings highlight the interconnection of green-blue infrastructure to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Due to their environmental and social/psychological benefits, UGS and UBS are directly linked with SDG 11.7 which emphasizes the adequate provision of urban nature for the wellbeing or social development of urban residents, and SDG 3 whose targets focus on healthy lives and the promotion of wellbeing for all, at all ages [206]. Most importantly, the events of the COVID-19 pandemic have strengthened the connection of outdoor open spaces with SDG 3.4 (fight communicable diseases), as green-blue areas are expected to be redesigned in order to face the challenges of airborne spread diseases.…”

Formation of a comfortable urban environment as a factor of sustainable development of the territory

“…The existing gaps in the relationship between urban policy and management from the point of view of sustainable development should also be noted [7]. But urban policy and infrastructure are in direct relationship with the main elements of the ESG approach [8], including the number of green spaces [9], with the agro-industrial sector development [10], regional management and territorial planning [11], and improving the population life quality [12] considering the environmental situation [13]. "The locality in which the relevant subject is located has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, on the basis of which individual indicators of the system "social orientationenvironmental safety -economic policy" are adjusted [14].…”

Developing a Qualitative Urban Green Spaces Index Applied to a Mediterranean City

“…Thus, UGSs can have an immense impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [21]. Well-managed UGSs can both directly and indirectly help achieve 15 of the 17 SDGs [22].…”