Harnessing Street Canyons for Comprehensive Nature-Based Solutions

Gabriela Maksymiuk, Joanna Adamczyk (), Renata Giedych, Dorota Pusłowska-Tyszewska, Magdalena Kuchcik and Agata Cieszewska
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Gabriela Maksymiuk: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Joanna Adamczyk: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Renata Giedych: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Dorota Pusłowska-Tyszewska: Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 20 Nowowiejska Street, 00-653 Warszawa, Poland
Magdalena Kuchcik: Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, 51/55 Twarda Street, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
Agata Cieszewska: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: Transport areas in urban environments typically cover 10–20% of a city’s area. Due to their hierarchical structure and network layout, they present a unique opportunity to integrate Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) within cities strategically. In Poland, however, the current use of NbSs in streetscapes tends to be sporadic, localized, and often resulting from grassroots initiatives. This study aimed to assess how much the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) in cities depends on and can be enhanced by NbSs. To explore this, simulations were conducted using six NbSs scenarios, selected based on an analysis of solutions specifically designed for streets and their characteristics. This research focused on a densely built and populated district of Warsaw. The findings revealed that applying NbSs can significantly reduce stormwater runoff, increase carbon sequestration, and improve air quality. The level of ES provision depends on the solutions used, with the introduction of woody vegetation, particularly tall shrubs and trees, proving most effective. The results show that the scenario-based approach allows for flexible streetscape design, enabling the application of individually selected NbSs. Moreover, the approach helps to select optimal elements that enhance the provision of ES crucial to adapting cities to climate change.

Keywords: streetscape; ecosystem services; quality of life; climate change adaptation; neighborhood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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