Strengthening Urban Resilience: Unleashing the Power of Green Infrastructure in European Cities

Ing. arch. Jenan Hussein, MSc

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

Resilience is mainly perceived as complimentary extension of urban sustainability, fueling urban policy towards a highly intgrated, multi-disciplinary and transparent planning system, which involves community stakeholders, as key to the process of planning; planners as creative, innovative, and holistic actors who work within multi-functional and multi-disciplinary frameworks. GI has been further considered as an interlinked network of multifunctional ecological systems, that are inclusive of semi-natural, natural, and artificial components within, around, and between urban regions, irrespective of its spatial scale. This PhD dissertation aims to systematically review how urban resilience can be strengthened by unleashing the power of green infrastructure across European cities. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore how green infrastructure can be used to facilitate the development of resilience within EU cities. Research Questions 1.To what extent does the historical background and institutional framework of Eastern European countries and specifically the Czech Republic influence the implementation and effectiveness of environmental policies, considering the higher regulations set by the European Union? 2.How does the distinction between city Borders and Ecosystem Edges influence the planning strategies for urban development and the application of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) as a strategic solution for climate change adaptation in cities, with a focus on Prague (Czech Republic). 3.How does the social and cultural factor, including the role of users, influence the application and acceptance of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) in urban areas, and how can user involvement in planning contribute to creating a better living environment in cities? 4.How do the robustness and applicability of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) planning methods and technologies vary across different urban contexts, and how can the integration of social, technical, and resource considerations lead to sustainable development outcomes in cities? Methodology A systematic review was the method adopted to conduct this research. This systematic review ascribes to an approach that has been previously utilized by several authors. A detailed literature review was carried out, wherein papers that were highly pertinent to the phenomenon being investigated were found through diverse academic databases. The primary keywords used to identify the papers were ‘urban resilience’, and ‘green infrastructure’. The main CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: The conceptual framework for this research thesis, wherein the framework essentially investigates the interaction between environment sustainability, urban development, and strategies for resilience. It comprises of understanding the diverse types of green infrastructure like parks, green roofs, and urban forest, and the multifaceted role it plays in improving the resilience of the city to environmental, social, and economic challenges. Through this research, the idea is to examine the mechanisms through which green infrastructure would contribute to urban resilience by circumventing the impact from climate change, lowering urban heat island effects, improving biodiversity, nurturing social cohesion, and encouraging sustainable urban development practices. In addition, it also involves analyzing the effectiveness of various policy interventions, planning strategies, and governance mechanisms in incorporating green infrastructure within urban landscapes to develop resilient cities that have the capability to adapt to challenges in the future.

Keywords

Climate change Adaption, Urban Resilience, Green Infrastructure, Systematic Review, European Cities

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 4. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Peter Kumble, Ph.D.
• Reader: Zdeněk Keken, Ph.D., Ing., Přemysl Štych, externi, Angeliki Peponi, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Doctoral programme / field:
Environmental Sciences / Applied and Landscape Ecology