Development of an evaluation tool for green infrastructure and their positive effects derived for cities worldwide.
The Green4cities project aims to develop a worldwide applicable evaluation method and planning tool called Green pass to help reduce the negative impacts of urban areas and local climate as heat stress, nocturnal heat island and pluvial flooding, achieved with minimum input of resources. It shall boost the implementation of green infrastructures (GI) in cities, the quality, attractiveness and competitiveness of urban form and will create revenue and jobs for the SME partners in the project.
Background
Cities worldwide face structural deficiencies which are likely to be exacerbated by climate change. The presence of vegetation is essential to comfort, quality of life and resilience against the extremes of heat waves, drought and flood of cities (de Ridder et al., 2004). However, green infrastructure (GI) – especially green roofs and facades – still tend not be fully considered by professionals involved in urban planning.
Aim
Green4cities aims to develop an evaluation method and urban planning tool called Green Pass (GP). The core part of the GP will be modelling software combined with a specially developed set of criteria. The GP will visualize and explain the deficiencies and potentials of urban areas (from cities to single buildings) and give suggestions how to integrate GI in the existing urban fabric to reduce the negative impacts on local climate as nocturnal heat island and pluvial flooding, achieved with minimum input of resources.
The GP will be affordable at low cost and thus boost the implementation of green infrastructures (GI) in cities, the quality, attractiveness and competitiveness of urban form.
Methodology
By means of case studies and integration of existing knowledge a criteria set for the evaluation of urban areas will be developed. These criteria will include microclimatic and technical aspects, resource demand and provision. The GP will be tailored to the needs of key stakeholders from strategically chosen case study cities.