Ecological Analysis and Design for Ecosystem Services Development in Sub-urban Planning

Abstract

Focusing on urban planning tools and techniques that may incorporate environmental services in urban development should be one of the next frontiers of sustainable cities. Designing natural-based solutions for providing crucial biophysical structures and ecological functions for human well-being and mitigating soil loss could be a crucial milestone. In this paper, we provide a methodology for spatially analysing the effects of various urban planning-generated land-use scenarios on the provision of ecosystem services. The methodology analyses the variation of ecosystem services, considering as starting point the ecosystem services provided by the current status of land use of the study area and their potential changes considering the urban actions planned. One scenario of analysis includes the integration of Natural-based Solutions in urban planning. The case study is represented by a peri-urban area characterized by an agroecosystem planned for urban development in the municipality of Gallipoli, Southern Italy. The analysis highlights a low ecosystem services provision of the agroecosystem for effecting of Xylella fastidiosa bacteria that destroyed important olive trees. So, the integration of Natural-based Solutions and reductions of construction buildings in the sub-urban plan could improve the quantity of ecosystem services in the area. Additionally, taking into account the beginning points, the ecological design of ecosystem services can enhance the typology of ecosystem services supply in the region. As a result, the ability to include ecosystem services analysis into urban planning may be a beneficial tool for ecological urban design to aid in decision-making.