The connectivity of Haifa urban open space network

Abstract

Urban open spaces are considered as spatial residuals of the expansion of built areas. The environmental impact of the resulting land-cover pattern and associated ecosystem services are frequently evaluated at a crude spatial resolution only. However, wild animals use remaining interconnected fine-grain open spaces as an infrastructure for movement. In this paper, we traced the evolution of an open-space system in Haifa, Israel, and examined the impact of urban morphology on size and distribution of open spaces at different spatial resolutions. At a 30 m resolution, our analysis indicated fragmentation and increasing partial elimination of open spaces. Over time the connectivity declined at a diminishing rate, yet the network did not disintegrate into separate components. The evolution analysis implied that in crude resolution, the open space network is threatened. At a 5 m resolution, our analysis showed that Haifa remains porous to animal movement. Using combined multiple least-cost paths through the urban landscape of heterogeneous permeability, we illustrated extensive connectivity among open spaces. Backyards and other urban in-between spaces complemented the seminatural open-space network connectivity, enabling wildlife movement between habitat patches and thus survival in an urbanized environment.

Advancing urban metabolism studies through GIS data: Resource flows, open space networks, and vulnerable communities in Mexico City

“…Previous research on OSN has, for example, focused on land‐use regulations to preserve existing ecological networks (Ahern, 2004; Weber & Wolf, 2000), applied landscape ecology models to integrate future vacant lots in shrinking cities (Frazier & Bagchi‐Sen, 2015), investigated energy and resource requirements for scaling‐up urban agriculture (Mohareb et al., 2017), and designed scenarios to reframe circular economy questions through urban and landscape planning strategies (Amenta & Van Timmeren, 2018; Marin & De Meulder, 2018). Another prolific line of research focused on assessing the loss of connectivity among fragmented green patches caused by uncontrolled urban form and urban sprawl (Toger et al., 2016; Yacamán Ochoa et al., 2020). It demonstrated that enhancing connectivity can provide higher social‐ecological values in urban environments (Frazier & Bagchi‐Sen, 2015).…”

Residential Greenness and Long-term Mortality Among Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

“…Large differences in planning practices and climatic and topographic characteristics between, for example, the coastal city of Haifa, situated on a mountain and the coastal city of Tel Aviv lying on the coast, result in different patterns of greenery in the urban cores. [51][52][53] In general, vegetation in residential areas is characterized largely by trees lining streets and gardens interwoven in the built environment, and less by large parks (Figure 1).…”

An integrated multifractal modelling to urban and regional planning

“…On a local scale, dense urban development may avert the loss of ecological habitats (Conway 2009) but concomitantly increase the barrier effect of built areas (Aguilera et al 2011). Conversely, loose urban development increases landscape fragmentation but the barrier effect of built areas may be reduced if the urban boundary remains comparatively fuzzy (Czamanski et al 2008) and/or if urban patterns are examined at a very fine scale (Toger et al 2016). Maintaining or creating interconnected networks of natural and green areas having various sizes can help to preserve biodiversity.…”