A Multicriteria Decision-Making Approach of “Tree” Meaning in the New Urban Context

Abstract

Future cities will need to plan and design urban green spaces and woodlands to meet diverse interests and needs, provide ecosystem services required by an evolving urban society and improve continuity between urban and rural spaces. This future planning approach calls for more sustainable patterns of urban growth, where forests and green spaces can help create more sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities, and address the challenges of a growing urban population. Green areas are of strategic significance because in addition to absorbing harmful pollutants, improving temperatures, and mitigating the impacts of climate change, they have a positive effect on people’s health and well-being and help to create inclusive societies. The values considered are manifold and a multi-criteria assessment, including an evaluation of citizens’ perceived needs, allowing policy-makers to steer choices towards green-oriented urban planning tools, where green spaces and urban forests enable them to meet the challenges of future cities. The research presented here is part of this line of study in order to propose a tool to support stakeholders’ decisions on urban green planning. The objectives of the study are to find out about the perception of urban green spaces and examine what kind of relationship should be established between the local authority and the population with regard to information and participation in the planning of green areas. The results highlight that citizens recognise the importance of ecosystem services and perceive green areas as strategic elements of urban quality of life, in agreement with some previous studies conducted in Italy and other countries.

Citizens’ perception of the role of urban nature-based solutions and green infrastructures towards climate change in Italy

“…In Italy, we mention the vertical forest in Milan; the Green Belt in Turin; the green ring in the municipality of Mirandola (Modena); the urban gardens in Catania (Pietrapertosa et al, 2019;Sturiale and Scuderi, 2019;Serra et al, 2022;Sturiale et al, 2022). Milan has set itself the objective of planting 30 million trees, following the same goals as other cities engaged in this "urban re-greening" action, making up for the gap that characterises Italian cities, which are a little behind in this "urban green revolution" (FORESTAMI Project, 2020).…”

“…There are many researches and studies in the literature on the multifunctionality of GIs and their role in urban climate adaptaion (Forest Research, 2011;Foster et al, 2011;EC, 2012EC, , 2016The Nature Conservancy, 2016). In particular, tools and methodologies are being developed innovative models for green-oriented urban planning and collaborative governance (Raymond et al, 2017;Brink and Wamsler, 2018;Foti et al, 2018;Sturiale and Scuderi, 2018;Frantzeskaki, 2019;Giachino et al, 2022;Sturiale et al, 2022). In the urban system, NBSs are mainly represented by the different types of GIs, and their integration into urban planning seem to be one of the most appropriate and effective ways to address the impacts of climate change, to improve the urban microclimate and to protect the wellbeing of citizens (Figure 1).…”

“…Several studies show that there are important links between urban greenery and impacts on climate conditions: parks and trees provide shade and help cool the air, are places to find relief during heat waves, provide vegetation cover and protect from solar radiation; the integration of vegetation into building facades and roofs helps balance indoor temperatures and protect structures (Barò et al, 2014;Carrus et al, 2015;Elmqvist et al, 2015;Deng et al, 2017;EC, 2020 c;IPCC, 2018;Sturiale and Scuderi, 2019;Sturiale et al, 2022).…”

“…GIs can help to create resilient cities that can counteract what has happened in the last century of intense urbanisation. As several researches have shown, recently GIs are starting to take on a strategic meaning by citizens, because they are no longer considered as a simple element of urban furniture, but as a fundamental tool to improve the quality of life in the city (Lohr et al, 2004;Sanesi and Chiarello, 2006;Qin et al, 2013;Camacho-Cervantes et al, 2014;Sturiale et al, 2020;Sturiale et al, 2022).…”

“…Furthermore, they highlight the importance of investigating the perception of climate change among citizens and developing co-participative governance models for urban greening strategies shared with the population. (Sanesi and Chiarello, 2006;Vignola et al, 2013;Camacho-Cervantes et al, 2014;Ballew et al, 2020;Sturiale et al, 2020Sturiale et al, , 2022. ;Wicki et al, 2021;Zerva et al, 2021;Chitsa et al, 2022;Skains et al, 2022).…”