Urbanism as green infrastructure
Introduction
The terms green infrastructure,[1] ecological infrastructure or natural infrastructure describe an interconnected system of natural elements (trees, wetlands, waterways) from the point of view of the services it provides to people, such as hydrological regulation or erosion control. It is important to take into account natural infrastructure in large engineering projects with the purpose of protecting biodiversity from situations that put its existence at risk, such as climate change.[2].
The arrangement of the natural elements that make up a green infrastructure can be the product of natural processes (erosion, vegetation growth) or be the result of human interventions with the purpose of serving the purposes of society. The term can be used to refer to a specific infrastructure, or to all of those existing in a region or country. The concept of “green infrastructure” (or ecological) is used more for terrestrial ecosystems, while “natural infrastructure” refers to a more comprehensive vision that encompasses different types of ecosystems.[3].
Investment in green infrastructure
Investing in green infrastructure has an economic logic: maintaining nature's capabilities, for example mitigating the negative examples of climate change, is much more profitable than replacing those lost services with much more expensive human technological solutions. The best way to generate green infrastructure is to embrace an integrated approach to land management and careful strategic planning. All land users and policymakers must aspire and commit from the beginning to the process of generating green infrastructure, addressing their respective responsibilities.
Green infrastructure impact
The loss of natural areas goes beyond the fact of the disappearance of species. Ecosystems, which are enriched by the diversity of life that inhabits them, provide society with countless valuable and economically beneficial goods and services, such as water in good condition, fertile soil and carbon storage.
It is constantly fighting against climate change, by protecting against floods and other effects caused by it.