Quantifying and Optimizing Vegetation Carbon Storage in Building-Attached Green Spaces for Sustainable Urban Development

Wenjun Peng (), Xinqiang Zou, Yanyan Huang and Hui Li
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Wenjun Peng: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Xinqiang Zou: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Yanyan Huang: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Hui Li: School of Navigation, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: Public building-attached green spaces are increasingly important urban carbon sinks, yet their carbon sequestration potential remains poorly understood and underutilized. This study quantified vegetation carbon storage across three attached green space typologies (green square, roof garden, and sunken courtyard) at a representative public building in Wuhan, China, using field surveys and species-specific allometric equations. Total carbon storage reached 19,873.43 kg C, dominated by the green square (84.98%), followed by a roof garden (12.29%) and sunken courtyard (2.72%). Regression analysis revealed strong correlations between carbon storage and morphological traits, with diameter at breast height (DBH) showing the highest predictive power for trees (r = 0.976 for evergreen, 0.821 for deciduous), while crown diameter (CD) best predicted shrub carbon storage (r = 0.833). Plant configuration optimization strategies were developed through correlation analysis and ecological principles, including replacing low carbon sequestering species with high carbon native species, enhancing vertical stratification, and implementing multi-layered planting. These strategies increased total carbon storage by 131.5% to 45,964.00 kg C, with carbon density rising from 2.00 kg C∙m −2 to 4.63 kg C∙m −2 . The findings provide a quantitative framework and practical strategies for integrating carbon management into the design of building-attached green spaces, supporting climate-responsive urban planning and advancing sustainable development goals.

Keywords: sustainability; attached green spaces; public building; carbon storage; carbon sequestration; optimization; sustainable urban planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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