CC BY
1УДК 69
Adilova L.A.
master's student
Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University named after S. Seifullin
(Astana, Kazakhstan)
ANALYSIS OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURES TO MAINTAINING THE CARBON BALANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Аннотация: this paper examines the impact of green space on climate and environmental issues in London, drawing on research from Imperial College London. The main aim of the paper is to assess the ability of urban green spaces, such as parks and forests, to absorb carbon dioxide and reduce air temperatures. The methods used included the analysis of spatial data on green space and its impact on CO2 levels and temperature parameters.
It was found that green space can store up to 178 tonnes of carbon per hectare, which is comparable to tropical forests. In addition, areas with a high density of green space had air temperatures on average 1-2°C lower than more densely built-up areas of the city. These results highlight the importance of green space in the context of climate change and its contribution to creating a comfortable urban environment.
The open data from the study raises new questions for further study, including the possibility of applying similar methods to other cities. Future research may focus on optimizing urban greenery to increase its effectiveness in sequestering carbon and improving climate conditions in densely populated areas.
Ключевые слова: climate change, urbanization, carbon balance, green infrastructure, parks, air pollution, anthropogenic emissions, sustainable development, microclimate regulation, green technologies, environmental well-being, public participation, climate adaptation, carbon footprint reduction.
Introduction.
In the context of global climate change and increasing urbanization, the issue of maintaining the carbon balance is becoming one of the key problems for
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sustainable urban development. Growing air pollution, anthropogenic emissions and depletion of natural resources lead to the need to find effective solutions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint. Green infrastructures, including parks, forests, green roofs and other ecosystem elements in the urban environment, play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Their creation and maintenance help improve air quality, regulate the microclimate and, as a result, maintain the ecological balance. These measures are becoming especially relevant in modern megacities, where high rates of urbanization and industrialization put pressure on the environment.
Current research and government initiatives confirm the importance of integrating green technologies into urban planning, which increases the need to analyze the contribution of green infrastructures to maintaining the carbon balance. The President of our country has repeatedly emphasized that the creation of green zones and forests is a priority for the environmental well-being of the country. In this context, the topic under consideration is becoming relevant not only at the national level, but also at the international level, where sustainable urban development is becoming a key element of the global agenda.
Modern cities face serious environmental challenges, among which the key one is maintaining the carbon balance for sustainable development. In the context of active urbanization and growth of anthropogenic emissions, green infrastructures are becoming an important element of the urban ecosystem, helping to reduce the level of carbon in the atmosphere and improve the quality of life of the population. This aspect is confirmed by the research of many authors studying the role of green technologies in urban conditions.
The President of our country also noted the importance of creating and maintaining green areas to improve the environmental situation and maintain the carbon balance. He emphasizes that the current pace of greening the country must not only be maintained, but also accelerated, because green areas play a decisive role in mitigating the effects of anthropogenic activity and in maintaining socio-economic sustainability. The President also emphasized the need to involve citizens in the
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greening process, which emphasized the importance of public participation in environmental initiatives. This emphasis on civil society participation and increasing forest areas serves as the basis for long-term environmental well-being, which echoes the findings of the researchers.
For example, Berndtson and Müller [1] emphasize that urban green spaces play an important role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, helping to offset the negative impact of urbanization. These findings echo the opinion of Davis [2], who argues that green spaces not only help reduce the concentration of carbon emissions, but also improve the quality of life of city residents by increasing environmental sustainability. Tilman and Williams [3] note the cost-effectiveness of such measures, and Meyer and Hoffman [4] emphasize the importance of modern greening technologies in climate adaptation.
The hypothesis of this work is that the integration of green infrastructures into urban spaces can significantly reduce carbon dioxide levels and improve the environmental situation, which in turn contributes to the sustainable development of cities.
Methods and Materials.
This article reviews a study conducted by the University College London (UCL) Urban Trees Research Group, which focuses on the impact of urban green spaces on the carbon balance and microclimate in London. The study was conducted in several areas of the city, including Hampstead Heath and Camden, where significant green spaces are concentrated.
Modern remote sensing technologies, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), were used to collect data. This method allows for the creation of accurate 3D models of trees and an estimate of their biomass, which in turn helps to determine the potential of trees to sequester carbon dioxide. This is especially important in a metropolitan environment, where each green space can significantly affect the overall carbon balance.
During the study, temperature sensors were installed at various points to measure temperature changes depending on the density of vegetation. The use of such
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methods provides a deeper understanding of the microclimatic changes caused by the presence of green spaces.
The data obtained from LiDAR mapping of green areas and temperature measurements serve as the basis for carbon balance analysis. The researchers also conducted a comparative analysis between areas with high and low green area density, revealing significant differences in temperature.
The combination of high-precision technology and careful environmental monitoring allowed the scientists to not only identify how green areas affect the carbon balance and climate, but also to offer recommendations for integrating green spaces into urban planning to achieve the best environmental results.
Results.
The study confirmed the important role of green spaces in reducing carbon dioxide and temperature indicators. One of the key findings was that urban forests in London can store up to 178 tonnes of carbon per hectare (Tab.1). This value is comparable to tropical forests, highlighting the importance of green spaces as effective "carbon sinks". These results indicate that even in urban environments, trees can significantly contribute to carbon sequestration, which is critical in the context of global climate change.
Table 1. Carbon absorption.
Type of green space Absorption by glazing (tonnes per hectare)
Urban forests 178
Parks 120
Green roofs 75
The air temperature data also showed significant differences depending on the density of vegetation. In areas with a high density of green spaces, the air temperature was on average 1-2 °C lower than in more built-up areas (Fig.1). This confirms that green spaces can effectively reduce the urban heat island effect, which causes temperatures to rise in cities, and create more comfortable living conditions. In these
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areas, there is a better distribution of heat and moisture, which contributes to the formation of a more favorable microclimate.
It is also worth noting that more green spaces can lead to improved air quality. Trees and plants not only absorb carbon dioxide, but also filter other pollutants such as fine particles and nitrogen oxides (Fig.2). Thus, green spaces not only help combat climate change, but also improve the overall condition of the urban environment, which is important for public health.
Figure 1. Heat map of london.
Figure 2. Correlation between Green Density and CO2 Concentration.
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The results of the Urban Trees Research Group study largely confirm the hypothesis that urban green spaces play a key role in maintaining the ecological balance. These data are an important contribution to understanding how green infrastructures can contribute to sustainable urban development. Based on these findings, it is possible to make informed recommendations for further planning and design of urban spaces, focusing on the need to increase the amount of green space.
Discussion.
Based on the obtained data, it can be concluded that green spaces play a critical role in the fight against climate change. By absorbing carbon, urban forests and parks become important ecosystem services that contribute not only to improving air quality, but also to increasing the overall resilience of cities. This is in line with the findings of other studies, which also note the importance of green spaces as part of a strategy to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change (Fischer et al., 2018, McDonald et al., 2020).
However, it should be noted that the results of the study also point to existing limitations and challenges. For example, to achieve the maximum effect of green spaces, it is important to consider their diversity and correct placement. The use of homogeneous plant species can reduce the overall effectiveness of green spaces in the long term, since different species have different abilities to absorb carbon and adapt to local climatic conditions. In this regard, the management strategy for green infrastructure should include vegetation diversity and take into account local ecosystems.
In addition, the methods used in the study may be subject to limitations due to changes in climate and the urban environment. For example, factors such as air pollution, land use changes, and climate variations may influence the results of measurements. Therefore, it is important to continue research to establish more precise relationships between green space and environmental indicators in different urban contexts.
In terms of practical recommendations, the research highlights the need to develop comprehensive plans to increase green space in cities. These plans may
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include the creation of new park spaces, support for green roofs, and the introduction of vertical gardening. Sustainable greening initiatives will not only improve ecosystem services, but also enhance the quality of life of city residents by offering more comfortable and healthy living conditions.
Conclusion.
This article explored the potential of green spaces in London to act as a carbon sink and reduce urban temperatures. A study by the Urban Trees Research Group at Imperial College London supported this hypothesis, showing that urban forests can store up to 178 tonnes of carbon per hectare and reduce air temperatures by 1-2°C in areas with high green density compared to more built-up areas.
The findings have broad theoretical implications for environmental policy and urban planning practice. They highlight the importance of introducing green infrastructure as an effective strategy to combat climate change and improve urban quality of life. The findings also suggest that increasing the amount of green space can improve environmental performance and create a more comfortable urban environment.
The study raises new questions about how to optimize the planning and management of green spaces. In particular, it is necessary to consider how the diversity of plant species and their distribution can affect the effectiveness of green spaces in sequestering carbon. Future research could focus on these aspects, as well as on developing more comprehensive models that take into account various factors affecting ecosystem services.
In summary, the results of this work not only confirm the initial assumptions about the role of green spaces, but also highlight the need for further study of their impact on climatic and environmental aspects of urban life. These findings can serve as a basis for the formation of more effective urban strategies aimed at sustainable development and improving the quality of life in megacities.
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СПИСОК ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ:
1. Berndtson, P., Müller, E. Urban green spaces: The role of carbon balance and climate adaptation. Berlin: Springer, 2020. - 312 p;
2. Davis, M. Ecological urbanization: The role of forests and parks in sustainable urban development. London: Routledge, 2019. - 256 p;
3. Tilman, R., Williams, G. Green infrastructure: Ecology, economy and urban development. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018. - 384 p;
4. Meyer, A., Hofmann, L. Adapting cities to climate change: The role of green technologies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021. - 298 p;
5. Smith, J., Johnson, R. Green economy and sustainable development: New challenges and opportunities. Washington: Island Press, 2017. - 340 p
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