A GIS Based Model Proposal for Assessing the Transversal Connectivity of Natural Landscapes Along the Urban Rivers in support of NBS

This study aims to present a GIS-based method for estimating the transversal connectivity among natural landscape patches along urban rivers within the metropolitan area. The method presented here relies on the transversally connected natural landscape mosaics (TCNLM) model, which is based on a reclassification procedure for landscape patches based on their relative connectivity to the water sources. The identified existing and potential TCNLMs can be considered as focal areas for providing ecosystem services in the metropolitan zone. The raw material of the analytical process is Urban Atlas (UA) land cover data. All phases of the process are modelled in Graphical Modeler in QGIS software. The metropolitan areas of London and Paris are selected as specimens of urban agglomerations along major waterbodies such as Thames and Seine River. The selected cases have considerable similarities and differences among them. Jointly with the results, they provide a comparative ground for a quantitative and qualitative evaluation. The results show that the method is easily reproducible in other European metropolitan areas being developed along watercourses. The presented model brings a rapid method for highlighting the transversal connectivity capacities of the natural landscapes along rivers within the metropolitan area in support of Nature Based Solutions for urban challenges.