- 1University of West London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain – England, Scotland, Wales (Suman.Kumari@student.uwl.ac.uk)
- 2The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain – England, Scotland, Wales
- 3Tree Service, London Borough of Ealing, Perceval House, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain – England, Scotland, Wales
Sustainable Development Goal 3 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to “ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”. Research consistently demonstrates that access to nature has profound benefits for physical health and mental well-being [1]. Green Infrastructure (GI), ranging from street trees, green roofs, parks, wildlife areas, woodlands, and wetlands, plays a vital role in supporting nature’s recovery, fostering biodiversity, and the ecosystem. Additionally, GI offers natural solutions to challenges like flood risk, poor air quality, and the urban heat effects exacerbated by climate change whilst creating inclusive spaces for people to experience physical and mental health benefits and delivering quality of life and environmental benefits for communities.
Recent studies show that urban green spaces alone support 2.1 million people to meet their weekly physical activities, estimated to be worth £5.6 billion, and reduce mental health service costs of approximately £141 million [2]. Acknowledging the critical role of GI for sustainable and resilient cities [3] and the challenges associated with an informed investment we propose the use of ‘reward and benefit’ analysis as an economic tool and utilization of medium-high-resolution remote sensing data and field information for mapping and monitoring of green infrastructures. Further, we propose to explore the correlation/link between the health impact of greener spaces on communities and the financial feasibility and viability of green spaces and projects.
Combining remote sensing and reward-benefit analysis creates a powerful framework for green infrastructure management and resilient urban development. Integration of spatial information and economic evaluations could support policy and decision-makers in evidence-based policy-plan development on prioritizing investments, resource allocation, enhanced stakeholder management, and healthier-happier neighbourhoods to achieve long-term sustainability goals.
Acknowledgments:
Sincere thanks to the following for their support: Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust, The Schroder Foundation, Cazenove Charitable Trust, Ernest Cook Trust, Sir Henry Keswick, Ian Bond, P. F. Charitable Trust, Prospect Investment Management Limited, The Adrian Swire Charitable Trust, The John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust, The Sackler Trust, The Tanlaw Foundation, and The Wyfold Charitable Trust.
References:
[1] Gunwoo Kim, Patrick A. Miller, The impact of green infrastructure on human health and well-being: The example of the Huckleberry Trail and the Heritage Community Park and Natural Area in Blacksburg, Virginia, Sustainable Cities and Society, Volume 48, 2019,101562, ISSN 2210-6707,(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101562)
[2] Saraev, V., O’Brien, L., Valatin, G. and Bursnell, M. (2021), Valuing the mental health benefits of woodlands. Research Report. Forest Research, Edinburgh i-iv + 1-32pp
[3] Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/)
How to cite: Kumari, S., Tessema, T., Husamaldin, L., Saadati, P., Mortimer, D., and Tosti, F.: From Data to Decisions: Integrating Remote Sensing and a Reward and Benefit Analysis for Green Infrastructure Management, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14087, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14087, 2025.
