Green Infrastructure and Urban Environment

The World Bank forecast that the area covered by the planet’s urban realm, as measured in 2000, would double by the 2030s, with 90% of urban growth occurring in the developing world (Suzuki 2010). To avoid problems of resource depletion, pollution, poor human health, associated with past urbanism, new cities should consider the concept of Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services that are provided by comprehensive, interconnected green infrastructure.

Vegetative land cover modifies regional and neighbourhood microclimate.

Greenways have been shown to modify the urban heat island generally, and research in Singapore found that greenways had a cooling effect of 4˚C at a macro scale (Wong & Yu). A study indicates that urban area is 2˚C warmer than the surrounding rural areas (Henninger 2009); in recognition of this, the Kigali State of the Environment Report 2013 notes that even small urban green spaces can help tackle the heat island effect.

Greenways also play a significant role in an urban economic. For example, street trees, as a part of urban forest system, have positive influence on house rental rates or property value (Lavrene, Kimberly 2003); they also promote health improvement, and reduce the investment on medicine. As for the aspect of urban pollution, green walls could mitigate air pollution and refresh urban air.