Antwerp, N. V. (2019, October 15). What is Green Architecture? how it informs Modern Sustainability. Learn Hub. https://learn.g2.com/green-architecture
Introduction
Amidst rapid urbanization and the pressing challenge of climate change, the adoption of green infrastructure has become essential for creating sustainable, resilient, and healthy urban environments. Grand Rapids, Michigan, has experienced a substantial rise in urban development and population growth, making the integration of green infrastructure more imperative than ever. Green infrastructure is a network of strategically designed natural and semi-natural features in cities that provide benefits like managing stormwater, preserving biodiversity, and regulating climate (Green Infrastructure). Through the utilization of natural systems and the incorporation of features like green roofs, permeable pavements, and urban forests, Grand Rapids can address urban heat, enhance air and water quality, mitigate flood risks, and promote the well-being of its residents (Burley et al., 2016).
Mariano, K. (2019, January 17). Here are the most environmental-friendly cities in Europe. Brand TD. https://www.traveldailymedia.com/green-cities-in-europe/
Research Question
How can we improve and expand green infrastructure in Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Envisioning a great green city. The Nature Conservancy. (2018, June 14). https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/envisioning-a-great-green-city/
Literature Review
Urban areas worldwide are increasingly confronted with issues such as heat islands, air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and the psychological stress associated with dense urban living. However, green infrastructure, which includes elements like parks, green roofs, street trees, and permeable pavements, offers innovative solutions that work with natural processes to provide ecological, economic, and health benefits.
What is a sustainable city? 10 characteristics of green urban planning. The zebra. (2023). https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/what-is-a-sustainable-city/
Ecological Benefits
One key ecological benefit is the enhancement of biodiversity through the creation of habitats for various flora and fauna (Tzoulas et al., 2007). Green spaces such as parks, urban forests, and green roofs provide refuge for wildlife, support pollinators, and promote an array of plant communities (Zeng et al., 2023). In Grand Rapids, the Wilds Ones River City Chapter set up a native plant education garden to teach the community about pollinator-friendly native species (“Native Plant Education Garden” (NPEG) 2024).
Economic Benefits
Green roofs contribute significantly to mitigating the urban heat island effect by providing shade, cooling the air through evapotranspiration, and reducing surface temperatures (Wang et al., 2022). Green spaces, such as rain gardens, can help reduce the risk of flooding and alleviate pressure on urban drainage systems (Green et al., 2021). Additionally, green infrastructure enhances the aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods, creates recreational opportunities, and supports tourism and local businesses, thereby further boosting economic activity (Tzoulas et al., 2007).
Human Health Benefits
Access to green spaces such as parks, gardens, and urban forests is associated with reducing stress, anxiety, and depression (Bratman et al., 2019). Moreover, green environments promote physical activity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions (Lee and Maheswaran, 2011). The presence of green spaces also enhances air quality by reducing air pollutants, in turn reducing the frequency of respiratory illnesses (Zupancic et al., 2015). Additionally, green spaces provide opportunities for social interaction and community engagement, which positively impact mental health and quality of life (Maas et al., 2006).
Challenges
Despite the benefits, the implementation and maintenance of green infrastructure face numerous challenges, including limited space, funding constraints, and competing urban development priorities (Choi et al., 2021; Zuniga-Teran et al., 2020). Additionally, there is a growing need to understand how green spaces can be designed and managed to maximize their ecological, social, and health-related benefits in diverse urban contexts.
“Systems Thinking & Sustainability.” Futurice, Digital Transformations with Measurable Outcomes, 21 Jan. 2020, futurice.com/blog/systems-thinking-and-sustainability.inking & sustainability)
Methods
For data collection, a meta-analysis will be conducted using open-source databases such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, and ProQuest. A method of protocol, search, appraisal, synthesis, analysis, and report will be used as the framework to perform the systematic review (Mengist et al., 2020). Rayyan review management software will be used to search the databases for articles with topics using the keywords “Grand Rapids,” “sustainability,” “green infrastructure,” and “green spaces.” Then the articles will be combed through to weed out any data discrepancies. The resulting data will be ranked and sorted into two categories: “relevant” and “irrelevant” based on the article’s applicability to urban sustainability in Grand Rapids. The data will be stored in a spreadsheet where I will identify the successful initiatives. Then, I will examine Grand Rapids' green infrastructure to identify any gaps and propose areas for improvement.
References
Antwerp, N. V. (2019, October 15). What is Green Architecture? how it informs Modern Sustainability. Learn Hub. https://learn.g2.com/green-architecture
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, C., Frumkin, H., Gross, J. J., Hartig, T., Kahn, P. H., Kuo, M., Lawler, J. J., Levin, P. S., Lindahl, T., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Mitchell, R., Ouyang, Z., Roe, J., … Daily, G. C. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
Burley, J. B., Li, N., Ying, J., Tian, H., & Troost, S. (2016). Metrics in master planning low impact development for grand rapids michigan. In Sustainable Urbanization. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/63708
Choi, C., Berry, P., & Smith, A. (2021). The climate benefits, co-benefits, and trade-offs of green infrastructure: A systematic literature review. Journal of Environmental Management, 291, 112583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112583
Envisioning a great green city. The Nature Conservancy. (2018, June 14). https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/envisioning-a-great-green-city/
Green, D., O’Donnell, E., Johnson, M., Slater, L., Thorne, C., Zheng, S., Stirling, R., Chan, F. K. S., Li, L., & Boothroyd, R. J. (2021). Green infrastructure: The future of urban flood risk management? WIRES Water, 8(6), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1560
Green Infrastructure. Environment. (n.d.-a). https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/green-infrastructure_en
Lee, A. C., & Maheswaran, R. (2011). The health benefits of urban green spaces: a review of the evidence. Journal of public health (Oxford, England), 33(2), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdq068
Maas, J., Verheij, R. A., Groenewegen, P. P., de Vries, S., & Spreeuwenberg, P. (2006). Green space, urbanity, and health: how strong is the relation?. Journal of epidemiology and community health, 60(7), 587–592. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.043125
Mariano, K. (2019, January 17). Here are the most environmental-friendly cities in Europe. Brand TD. https://www.traveldailymedia.com/green-cities-in-europe/
Mengist, W., Soromessa, T., & Legese, G. (2020). Method for conducting systematic literature review and meta-analysis for Environmental Science Research. MethodsX, 7, 100777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2019.100777
Native Plant Education Garden (NPEG). River City - Grand Rapids Area Chapter. (2024, February 12). https://rivercitygrandrapids.wildones.org/rcwo-native-plant-education-gardens/
Systems thinking & sustainability. Futurice, digital transformations with measurable outcomes. (2020, January 21). https://futurice.com/blog/systems-thinking-and-sustainability
Tzoulas, K., Korpela, K., Venn, S., Yli-Pelkonen, V., Kaźmierczak, A., Niemela, J., & James, P. (2007). Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using Green Infrastructure: A literature review. Landscape and Urban Planning, 81(3), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.02.001
Wang, X., Li, H., & Sodoudi, S. (2022). The effectiveness of cool and green roofs in mitigating urban heat island and improving human thermal comfort. Building and Environment, 217, 109082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109082
What is a sustainable city? 10 characteristics of green urban planning. The zebra. (2023). https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/what-is-a-sustainable-city/
Zeng, H., Wang, J., Guan, M., Lu, Y., Liu, H., & Zhao, D. (2023). Effects of vegetation structure and environmental characteristics on pollinator diversity in urban green spaces. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 84, 127928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127928
Zuniga-Teran, A. A., Staddon, C., De Vito, L., Gerlak, A. K., Ward, S., Schoeman, Y., Hart, A., & Booth, G. (2020). Challenges of mainstreaming green infrastructure in built environment professions. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 63(4), 710–732. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2019.1605890
Zupancic, T., Bulthuis, M. & Westmacott, C., (2015). The impact of green space on heat and air pollution in urban communities, Canadian Electronic Library. Ottawa, Ontario. Retrieved from https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1202600/the-impact-of-green-space-on-heat-and-air-pollution-in-urban-communities/1755709/. CID: 20.500.12592/khf18g.
