An Exploratory Case-Study Approach to Understand Multifunctionality in Urban Green Infrastructure Planning in a South African Context

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) intend to encourage liveable urban environments by 2030 with a main focus on strategies to achieve environmental and human well-being. In the same way, the multifunctionality principle of green infrastructure planning aims to develop and protect urban green spaces to provide several ecosystem services to increase human well-being whilst protecting the environment. With this in mind, this paper seeks to gather evidence on the nexus between multifunctionality and green infrastructure planning to achieve the SDGs within a South African context. The implementation of green infrastructure to this effect depends on creating awareness of different typologies of green infrastructure elements and the ecosystem services they provide to strengthen the implementation of the green infrastructure concept in urban planning practice. Within the aim of context-specific considerations to green infrastructure planning, green infrastructure typologies possible for implementation within a South Africa urban planning practice context are considerably more limited. A qualitative research approach is employed using case studies identifying specific examples to explore South African green infrastructure typologies and their multifunctionality. Different multifunctionality concepts are recognized by urban planners in South Africa. The research findings highlighted that multifunctionality achieved through green infrastructure planning should inform urban planning practice to promote the integration of ecological considerations. The paper ultimately provides a deeper insight into the expanding field of green infrastructure research in a South African context by underlining context-based multifunctional green infrastructure typologies and accordingly emphasizes, mainstreaming the ecosystem services concept as part of urban planning practice to address the SDGs locally.

Economic Valuation of Urban Green Spaces across a Socioeconomic Gradient: A South African Case Study

“…These may include both natural or anthropogenically developed, formal or informal green spaces that accommodate or compliment a variety of land uses and services [65,66]. It falls beyond the scope of this paper to provide a detailed discussion of the various UGS typologies and examples presented in the literature, but van Zyl et al [67] provide an apt synopsis tailored to the South African context.…”

“…The concept is often also supplemented by the term blue-green infrastructure, in recognition of the services provided by water bodies and wetlands when part of a network of UGSs [72]. This paper draws on various established definitions, incorporating elements of blue-green infrastructure, to describe green infrastructure as an interconnected, multifunctional network comprised of links and nodes constituted by natural, semi-natural and artificial blue and green spaces and systems that deliver benefits known as ecosystem services [51,67,73]. The term ecosystem services has evaded a general definition [74], but is defined in this paper as the benefits all living species (humans in particular) derive, directly or indirectly, from the capacity of ecosystems to deliver goods and services that satisfy their needs [75,76].…”

Delivering Blue-Green Infrastructure: Innovation Pathways for Integrating Multiple Values

“…In urban planning, multifunctionality is based on "the variety of services provided by the space in service of economic, social, and environmental requirements" (p. 206). Applied to BGI, core values in urban water management, such as reliability and cost-effectiveness, have to be connected to different logics, e.g., spatial or economic, as well as to a "social" logic for the delivery of multiple economic, social, and environmental benefits (Hansen et al, 2019;Van Zyl et al, 2021). In the literature on planning, it is acknowledged that future-proofing the built environment requires shifts in the values and goals guiding the management of cities, as well as adjustments to the institutional frameworks contextual to decision-making (Carmin et al, 2012).…”

The Benefits of Green Infrastructure Planning in Addressing Lost Spaces Underneath Elevated Urban Highways

“…One of the 21st century's most transformative forces is urbanization, which brings with it intense social, economic, and environmental changes and demands (Van Zyl et al, 2021;Pakzad & Osmond, 2016). As this process has accelerated rapidly, so has the demand for more transportation infrastructures, including elevated highways (Bürgi et al, 2004;Forman et al, 2003).…”

“…In relation to this, the United Nations (UN) has strengthened its emphasis on urban areas, as seen in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) announced in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specifically, the urban goal is expressed in SDG 11, which is to "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable" with the support of ten specific targets (Van Zyl et al, 2021;Hansen et al, 2019). Thus, an alternative multifunctional development approach in the form of green infrastructure (GI) planning is seen as the key to sustainable urban development that fulfils the multiple targets set under SDG 11 (Van Zyl et al, 2021;Hansen et al, 2019).…”