Urbani izziv Volume 19, No. 2, December 2008
: 199–211
(Presentations)
UDK: 711:502.131.1
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2008-19-02-012
Author
Carlos SMANIOTTO COSTA
Leibniz Institute of Ecological and Regional Development, Dresden, Germany
c.smaniotto-costa@ioer.de
Ina ŠUKLJE ERJAVEC
Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
ina.suklje-erjavec@uirs.si
Juliane MATHEY
Leibniz Institute of Ecological and Regional Development, Dresden, Germany
j.mathey@ioer.de
Title
Green spaces – a key resources for urban sustainability<br>The GreenKeys approach for developing green spaces
Abstract
Following the principles of sustainable development all urban development programmes set down ideas and ideals to develop our cities in a more long-lasting way, especially concerning the environment and the social dimension. These programmes result from a process of searching for and then offering a better quality of life. Green space assumes a key role for improving the quality of urban life - not only because of their ecological and environmental functions but also of their relevance for public health, societal well-being and economic benefits they can provide. Urban green spaces are therefore key resources for sustainable cities. Starting with this principle the GreenKeys Project developed a methodology to approach better green space qualities. Then if we are unable to demonstrate effectively the value that green spaces deliver we risk green spaces remaining on the periphery of public policy priorities and unable to attract more resources. The article presents and discusses the results and outcomes of the GreenKeys Project. Especially the GreenKeys proposal for supporting the formulation of an Urban Green Space Strategy is widely discussed.
Key Words
GreenKeys, urban green spaces, urban green space strategies sustainability