Transforming underutilized urban spaces into green infrastructure in Global South cities: A systematic review

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in cities of the Global South has exacerbated environmental degradation and escalated pressure on land resources, leading to intricate challenges regarding sustainability, liveability, and equity. Repurposing underutilized land into multifunctional green infrastructure (GI) is urgent. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 30 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025, following the PRISMA protocol, to evaluate planning frameworks and methodological approaches for such transformations. The reviewed literature, covering case studies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, primarily focuses on brownfields, vacant lots, and underused public spaces. Analysis reveals four thematic clusters: (1) spatial analysis and site identification, (2) participatory and community-led planning, (3) governance and policy mechanisms, and (4) multifunctionality in GI strategies. Key gaps include the absence of a unified definition of “underutilized” spaces, reliance on static spatial datasets that overlook informal land use and changing vacancy patterns, and limited integration of justice dimensions specifically social, spatial, and procedural justice into GI planning. To address these gaps, the review recommends: (a) creating standardized classification systems that incorporate land tenure, contamination status, and historical use to counter definitional inconsistencies; (b) using hybrid geospatial data that integrate the temporal, spectral, and morphological dimensions data to overcome limitations of static datasets; and (c) prioritizing GI interventions in marginalized and high-risk communities to embed justice considerations. Finally, to overcome weak governance frameworks, inclusive models should be institutionalized to support co-design, prevent displacement, and strengthen resilience. These recommendations underscore the need for justice-oriented, context-specific GI strategies that reflect the socio-spatial and ecological complexities of Global South cities.