• Energy Research

This research implements a GIS framework model aimed at evaluating the ecological efficiency of urban green areas. The model classifies urban green areas by identifying those that can provide ecosystem services to sustain green infrastructure at an urban district level. This model can also guide decision makers in the proper placement of the green infrastructure. The model works on the interrelation of four indicators of size, shape, vegetation structure and vegetation diversity, and it was tested in the case study of the Western Urban Districts of Naples (Italy). The selection of this study area is because it presents four urban districts that are different for physiography, urban patterns, land use, land cover and for the existing building stock. The proposed GIS-based framework can be a useful tool for planning actions and measures to protect, implement and restore existing green areas through integration into urban green infrastructure.

We provide a GIS-based platform for the analysis of heatwave scenario risks generated in urbanized environments, used to evaluate vulnerability and impact scenarios to heatwave phenomenon. Using topography and remote sensing spatial data given by institutional agencies, our framework develops a hierarchical model that represents a good trade-off between forecast accuracy and portability in various urban tissues, aside from geographical scale of the data. In order to assess the framework's accuracy and adaptability in various urban contexts, it has been applied to two research areas: the dense city of Naples (Italy) and the moderately populated city of Avellino (Italy). Urban planners and other decision-makers may utilize our approach to identify possible risk areas and determine where to implement climate-resilient solutions.