Evaluating relationship of carbon sequestration by urban green infrastructure with UHI mitigation effects and active travel choices
Bisht, Hari Shankar Singh (2025)
2025
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025101426020
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025101426020
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Urban vegetation both sequesters carbon and cools urban areas, yet their combined climatic and behavioural impacts are underexplored. This thesis compares Glasgow (UK) and Dresden (Germany) using macro-scale GIS and Landsat analyses of four parks, microscale ENVI-met street-canyon simulations, and resident surveys.
Macro-scale findings show strong inverse carbon–LST correlations in all parks (*r* = –0.47 to –0.55; *p* < 0.001), with cooling efficiencies from –0.54 °C/kg C m⁻² (Glasgow Green) to – 0.65 °C/kg C m⁻² (Waldpark Blasewitz). Buffer analyses reveal cooling extends to 950 m in Glasgow and beyond 1 km in Waldpark.
ENVI-met scenarios (+50% tree density) reduced peak air temperature by 0.75 °C and mean radiant temperature by 2.20 °C per 10 t C in Glasgow (*r* = –0.97 to –0.99; R² ≈ 0.95), with diminishing returns above +50%. Dresden saw slightly smaller yet robust cooling (–0.10 °C PAT, –0.12 °C MRT per 10 t C; R² ≈ 0.98). In both cities, MRT dropped 3–5 °C more than air temperature, highlighting radiative shading’s role.
Sample surveys of Glaswegians and Dresdners found 68–72% increase active travel on tree lined routes and 75% motivated by cooler conditions (PET < 30 °C). Environmental concern (r ≈ 0.62) correlated with green-route choice; over 80% chose the greenest paths despite minor detours. Dresden respondents prioritized shading and trust in planting programs, while Glaswegians valued comfort and air quality.
These results confirm that strategic greening delivers quantifiable carbon and cooling co benefits, which in turn promote walking and cycling. Recommendations include prioritizing dense canopies, setting “°C per t C/ha” targets, and integrating parks into continuous green corridors to enhance urban resilience and public health.
Macro-scale findings show strong inverse carbon–LST correlations in all parks (*r* = –0.47 to –0.55; *p* < 0.001), with cooling efficiencies from –0.54 °C/kg C m⁻² (Glasgow Green) to – 0.65 °C/kg C m⁻² (Waldpark Blasewitz). Buffer analyses reveal cooling extends to 950 m in Glasgow and beyond 1 km in Waldpark.
ENVI-met scenarios (+50% tree density) reduced peak air temperature by 0.75 °C and mean radiant temperature by 2.20 °C per 10 t C in Glasgow (*r* = –0.97 to –0.99; R² ≈ 0.95), with diminishing returns above +50%. Dresden saw slightly smaller yet robust cooling (–0.10 °C PAT, –0.12 °C MRT per 10 t C; R² ≈ 0.98). In both cities, MRT dropped 3–5 °C more than air temperature, highlighting radiative shading’s role.
Sample surveys of Glaswegians and Dresdners found 68–72% increase active travel on tree lined routes and 75% motivated by cooler conditions (PET < 30 °C). Environmental concern (r ≈ 0.62) correlated with green-route choice; over 80% chose the greenest paths despite minor detours. Dresden respondents prioritized shading and trust in planting programs, while Glaswegians valued comfort and air quality.
These results confirm that strategic greening delivers quantifiable carbon and cooling co benefits, which in turn promote walking and cycling. Recommendations include prioritizing dense canopies, setting “°C per t C/ha” targets, and integrating parks into continuous green corridors to enhance urban resilience and public health.