Urban Forestry & Urban Greening最新文献

{"title":"Longing for open spaces: Urban park user’s patterns in the Post-COVID era in San José, Costa Rica","authors":"Karla Barrantes-Chaves ,&nbsp;Erick Centeno-Mora ,&nbsp;Nidia Cruz-Zúñiga","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Substantial restrictions on access to urban parks during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in the way people visit and appreciate these spaces. This study explores visitation frequency and its changes, longing for open spaces, and the renewed appreciation of the three main regional urban parks in San José, Costa Rica. These aspects were analysed in relation to demographic factors: age, sex, and educational level as well behavioural variables. Data were collected through 8575 on-site surveys among park visitors in 2023. Findings reveal that 75 % of respondents expressed a strong desire for parks to reopen or reported longing for open spaces. Additionally, 50 % state that they have increased their visitation frequency, and 48 % now consider these parks more valuable than they did before the pandemic. A multivariable binary logistic regression model confirmed that emotional and behavioural variables were the strongest predictors of increased appreciation, while sociodemographic factors had more modest effects. Nevertheless, educational level remained relevant, with lower education levels associated with higher visitation but not consistently with greater appreciation when controlling for other factors. This study contributes to a better understanding of emerging attitudes toward urban parks after COVID-19 and their importance in the daily lives of users.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129096"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145229016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Small spaces, big impact: Kindergartens as critical nodes in climate-resilient urban green infrastructure","authors":"Dagmar Haase ,&nbsp;Diana Dushkova","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the context of intensified climate change and increasing urban density, green spaces and green infrastructure in cities are becoming ever more critical for ensuring a good quality of life, promoting public health, and maintaining urban ecosystem services. This pilot screening study focuses on an often overlooked but extremely important type of urban green space: the green spaces of kindergartens. These spaces are vital for children's physical, mental, and emotional development. They provide opportunities for play and physical activity, promote cognitive development and learning, encourage social interaction, and foster a connection with nature, while also contributing to biodiversity and climate resilience. However, the extent to which these spaces deliver these benefits can vary. This study aims to systematically evaluate the capacity of these spaces to support children's development and climate resilience, and to identify key design elements that can enhance their educational, social, and ecological value. Qualitative mapping and standardised face-to-face interviews were employed to analyse elements of green infrastructure in 21 kindergartens across ten residential districts in Leipzig, one of the most densely populated large cities in Germany. A comprehensive non-participatory observation and mapping process was carried out, covering elements such as horizontal and vertical greening, planting, biodiversity, children’s educational and play activities, water management, and upcycling. The study also identifies several nature-based solutions that have been implemented, as well as the ecosystem services they provide to the youngest members of society in the face of increasing summer heat. These include strengthening climate resilience, promoting biodiversity, and supporting the social well-being of young children. Based on the study results, a set of recommendations is provided on how to enhance kindergarten outdoor areas with diverse green and blue elements, encouraging conscious and broader use of NBS, and supporting existing sustainability strategies in kindergartens across Germany and Europe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129094"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decoding wildland-urban interface fire regimes in Hong Kong","authors":"Yizhou Li ,&nbsp;Zhiqing Pan ,&nbsp;Cong Gao ,&nbsp;Chunming Shi ,&nbsp;Shaorun Lin ,&nbsp;Xinyan Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wildfire threats in highly urbanized landscapes remain poorly characterized, particularly in high-density regions such as Hong Kong, where unique wildland-urban interface (WUI) dynamics prevail. Here, we analyzed a comprehensive wildfire dataset of 12,545 events spanning 2010–2024 in Hong Kong, revealing a human-dominated regime in WUI zones. Our fire-behavior-based clustering delineated pyroregions, and revealed the small-scale (&lt; 1 ha) fires dominant in Hong Kong, accounting for 58.6 % of all grids and clustered in WUI zones. Anthropogenic factors, rather than climatic drivers, predominate in shaping wildfire dynamics in Hong Kong. Vegetation fraction, population density, and WUI zones were identified as the most important factors contributing to wildfires in Hong Kong. Our findings provide critical insight into wildfire risk in high populated density urban environments, underscoring the escalating threats of human-induced wildfires in WUI zones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129095"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145262072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenological description of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle using the BBCH-scale: Groundwork for developing strategies to control invasive species and mitigate potential allergy risks","authors":"Jorge Romero-Morte ,&nbsp;Gonzalo Ortiz de Elguea-Culebras","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alien species pose a growing threat to biodiversity and ecosystems due to their capacity to establish and proliferate beyond their native ranges. Among them, <em>Ailanthus altissima</em> (Mill.) Swingle ranks among the most concerning species globally, especially across the Mediterranean basin, where its spread continues to intensify. Native to China and northern Vietnam, this tree has been widely introduced for ornamental purposes. Its invasive success facilitates the displacement of native flora, disruption of ecological processes, and significant impacts on public health due to its allergenic potential, including in urban areas. This study applies the BBCH-scale to describe the full phenological cycle of a population in Cuenca (Spain). A total of 20 adult individuals were monitored (10 males and 10 females) leading to identify 8 of the 10 main BBCH-scale stages and 41 secondary stages, covering the entire cycle from bud emergence to leaf senescence, while linear interpolation was used for the temporal analysis of stage duration. Additionally, statistical comparisons between sexes were conducted using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD test, while Pearson’s correlation analysis assessed to correlate these patterns with meteorological conditions, highlighting the influence of key meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, insolation and precipitation) on phenophase timing. These findings demonstrate that the BBCH-scale offers a precise framework to monitor phenology in this species, supporting improved management of invasive populations and enabling better forecasting of pollen release, crucial for public health monitoring in areas with high allergy incidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129090"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial distribution, determinants, and implementation barriers of green-blue-grey infrastructure-based urban heat island mitigation strategies in Budapest, Hungary","authors":"Agoston M Horanyi ,&nbsp;Jessica P R Thorn","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban nature-based infrastructure is increasingly recognised as a powerful tool to tackle climate change-induced challenges. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the use of hybrid infrastructure in heat mitigation, including context-specific factors that impact efficacy. This is particularly true in Budapest, Hungary, where between 1902 and 2019, a 4°C difference in urban heat levels was observed. This study aims to systematically evaluate where the urban heat island effect is most significant, what factors influence the urban heat island effect, what barriers exist to installing and scaling mitigating infrastructure, and what governmental levels and organs, civil society actors, and private actors are involved in urban heat mitigation efforts. Using an online survey (<em>n</em> = 216), key informant interviews (<em>n</em> = 13) and transect walks, findings show residents perceive the most important factors green surface size (98.7 %), water bodies (87.7 %), structural materials (92.9 %), construction materials (70.8 %), building types, density and surface albedo/colour (68.8 %), and domestic cooling (60.4 %). The heat-affected areas of Budapest include the dense historic core, outer industrial belt, railway stations, and Liszt Ferenc Airport. Key barriers relate to limited space, political will, funding, as well as unfavourable legal frameworks and bureaucratic environments. Moreover, a lack of vertical and horizontal coordination results in a disconnect between stakeholders’ agendas and understanding of the issue. Opportunities lie in expanding green spaces, improving rainwater management and retrofitting building structures through improved insulation. Further priorities include reducing impermeable surfaces and increasing the proportion of cool roofs and other hybrid infrastructure. In parallel, advancing knowledge of public acceptability of government policies and of societal responses to these policies is needed. This requires robust, transparent information dissemination and consultation mechanisms to foster legitimacy and trust. Finally, ensuring accountability across all levels of governance, with clearly delineated responsibilities to monitor progress and adaptive management, is essential for responding effectively to evolving social-ecological conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129092"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using virtual reality to characterize cultural ecosystem services provisioning by green stormwater infrastructure – Lessons for participatory design","authors":"Lauren Krauss,&nbsp;Megan A. Rippy,&nbsp;Megan Blumenauer","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129087","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the potential of virtual reality (VR) to capture community perceptions of cultural ecosystem services provisioning (e.g., aesthetics, sense of place) by green stormwater infrastructure. Surveys were administered to &gt; 500 people at the University of Maryland, each of whom viewed a bioretention system (UMD West or UMD Creek) or its corresponding virtual model. Two models were prepared for each real site (bioretention-only and situated within the landscape) to explore the importance of incorporating situational context into VR simulations. Our results suggest that virtual bioretention models reproduce many of the patterns in cultural ecosystem services provisioning observed in real bioretention systems; they co-provide aesthetic and sense of place services and were perceived to provide more services relative to parking lots and messy greenspace than manicured greenspace. However, perceptual accuracy was inconsistent, both across bioretention sites and model simulations, with the situated model of UMD Creek exhibiting significantly elevated cultural ecosystem service scores. The bias associated with this particular model appears to reflect the absence of contextual factors (e.g., signs of neglect, messy complexity, and anthropogenic noise) that were present in the real environment. The direction of the bias has implications for participatory design – namely, care should be taken with situational context to avoid overpromising services to viewers. These results have important implications for landscape professionals who are interested in leveraging new technologies for community-centered design as well as the communities they serve who have the potential to benefit from participatory design approaches and more culturally sensitive stormwater infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129087"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monetary valuation of a monumental tree: The case of the heritage honey tree in Leuven","authors":"Axelle Francx,&nbsp;Karen Peeters,&nbsp;Sandra Rousseau","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monumental trees provide substantial ecological, economic, and social value, yet their monetary value to society remains understudied. This research evaluates public preferences for the conservation of a heritage Japanese honey tree in Leuven, Belgium, using the contingent valuation method (CVM). A survey of 447 respondents used a double-bounded dichotomous choice format to estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) to protect this tree. The truncated mean WTP was €17.51 per person as a one-time payment. Extrapolating to the relevant population results in an aggregate value between €1,329,717 and €2,465,171. Factors positively influencing WTP include higher education, nature organization membership, and familiarity with the tree. By comparing CVM results with traditional trunk-based valuation formulas, this study offers new insights into the valuation of individual urban trees. The findings provide evidence to support urban policymakers in developing strategies for tree conservation and sustainable city planning, aligning with broader goals for environmental and heritage preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129085"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Species diversity of urban biota: The role of habitat type and biogeography","authors":"Michal Slezák ,&nbsp;Marek Čiliak ,&nbsp;Richard Hrivnák ,&nbsp;Jana Májeková ,&nbsp;Pavol Eliáš Jr. ,&nbsp;Katarína Hegedüšová Vantarová ,&nbsp;Ivana Svitková ,&nbsp;Matej Dudáš ,&nbsp;Tomáš Čejka","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129089","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129089","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid development of urban areas triggers a series of ecological changes in the landscape structure that have important consequences for biodiversity. Urban habitats provide an environment for various biological organisms and their communities, but how the effects of habitat types interact with biogeography to control species diversity in urban areas is still poorly understood for many taxonomic groups. The study aimed to elucidate the species diversity response of vascular plants and terrestrial gastropods to urban habitats in a multi-city assessment of two Central European biogeographical regions (Pannonian and Carpathian). Species diversity (alpha, beta and gamma) was calculated based on plant and gastropod records sampled in 30 Slovak cities within six and three habitat types, respectively. Linear mixed-effects models showed that the importance of both predictors depended on the taxonomic group. The high local and regional plant diversity found in cemeteries and floodplains was accompanied by a peak of gastropod alpha diversity in the Carpathian floodplains. These results suggest that dynamic and well-structured habitats with a mosaic of patches should be included in urban planning, as their high biodiversity values may contribute to the resilience of urban ecosystems to future environmental changes. We also found that climatic constraints reduced alien plant diversity in Carpathian habitats, while the species-reducing effect of environmental filtering and dispersal limitations played a prominent role in the plant diversity patterns of city centres. The present differences in species diversity caused by the interplay of climate and human impacts also highlight the need for a region-specific approach to managing urban biodiversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129089"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does user-generated content increase the valuation of urban green space? Evidence from China","authors":"Lita Alita ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129086","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban green spaces provide essential ecosystem services and recreational benefits, yet their valuation remains complex due to their non-market nature. While the environmental valuation studies consistently demonstrate strong public support for urban green spaces, little research has explored the influence of digital engagement on such valuations. This study integrates user-generated content into a discrete choice experiment framework to examine how digital social signals shape residents’ preferences for urban parks. User-generated content affects willingness to pay through three pathways: 1) informational content enhancing awareness of park attributes, 2) emotional content fostering affective attachment, and 3) community-building content signaling collective endorsement and social proof. A discrete choice experiment conducted in a peri-urban area of Beijing revealed that respondents assign higher utility to parks with user-generated content, particularly those featuring strong community engagement. Mixed logit model results indicate that community-oriented user-generated content has the largest effect on willingness to pay, followed by emotional content. Our findings suggest that digital engagement not only informs but also constructs environmental preferences, offering new insights for ecological economics. Policymakers could leverage social media strategies to strengthen public support for urban sustainability initiatives, reinforcing the role of social influence in environmental valuation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129086"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green and blue spaces matter for active mobility: Results from mapping perceived environmental exposure in five European cities","authors":"Silviya Korpilo ,&nbsp;Kamyar Hasanzadeh ,&nbsp;Robert Klein ,&nbsp;Elias Willberg ,&nbsp;Rory Taylor ,&nbsp;Kerli Müürisepp ,&nbsp;Anton Stahl Olafsson ,&nbsp;Tuuli Toivonen","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129088","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129088","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The effects of green and blue spaces on everyday mobility are still not thoroughly understood. In addition, studies have shown that objective and subjective assessments of environmental exposure can significantly differ, but less attention has been paid to understanding perceptions. This study provides comparative analysis on nature-active mobility associations going beyond single cases and exposure metrics. We conducted a Public Participation GIS survey in five cities: Greater Copenhagen, Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Greater London, Munich, and Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, gathering data from 4964 respondents and 8048 mapped places along daily routes. We examined the spatial distribution of pleasant/unpleasant places en route, assessing differences in seasonal and daily patterns, and the multisensory aspects of perceived exposure. We used Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) analysis to study the relations between pleasantness, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), distance to water, and socio-demographic background. Across all cities, respondents mapped higher number of pleasant places in the summer and daytime compared to winter and nighttime. The results also showed significant positive associations between NDVI values (except in Las Palmas) and short distance to water with pleasant travel experience. Besides gender, the results on the effects of socio-demographics were mixed, revealing context-specific complexity within cities. In all cities except Las Palmas, there was an increase in positive travel experiences within a threshold NDVI value of 0.3-0.5, providing green infrastructure guidance for transportation networks in Nordic and temperate climate cities. Overall, our study demonstrates the need for more research in cities with subtropical climates and arid vegetation to expand on these results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 129088"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}