Utrecht - NbS for for urban resilience and citizens’ wellbeing
With a green and blue framework that supports ecosystem benefits, Utrecht aims to promote healthy urban living through an integrated and systemic approach that combines local climate regulation, noise reduction, recreation and cleaner air. Currently, its main instrument for protecting and improving green space is the 2007 Green Structure Plan.
Green Structure Plan actions aim at sustainable urbanisation: less and slower traffic, climate- and energy-neutral construction, efficient water management and green areas for pleasant and healthy urban living. Utrecht wants to be a city where a healthy living environment and sustainable growth are core values. The updated Green Structure Plan 2017-2030 aims at making better use of green and blue infrastructure and restoring ecosystems. For instance, the role of trees in improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effect, and capturing CO2; or the positive influence of living nature for a healthier city, are some of the benefits foreseen by the Plan (UGSP, 2017).
Another key to boosting green space is the 2009 tree policy. This explains how the city uses trees in urban development. Trees are considered to have their own spatial dimension and problems that merit specific policy on such matters as tree structure, instruments, and guidelines for their management and maintenance (Green Surge, 2015). This is based on the ecological, recreational, cultural-historic and spatial values of urban green space in and around the city.
The new Central Station Area is one of the Netherlands’ major transformation projects and is included in the Smart Sustainable Districts (SSD) consortium as part of the...
As part of the Dutch Knowledge for Climate project (KvK), with the theme Climate-Proof Cities (CPC), a team of Wageningen University investigated the physical and psychological impact of street greenery in Utrecht (Klemm W. et al., 2015).
The research studied the impact of street greenery on outdoor thermal comfort in nine different streets in Utrecht with varying amounts of street greenery. The team also interviewed residents and city officials. The research showed the following impacts (Klemm W. et al., 2015):
• 10 % tree cover in a street lowers the mean radiant temperature by about 1oC.
• People significantly appreciate street greenery in aesthetic terms.
• People are consciously aware of microclimate conditions within street canyons.
• Recommendation to use ample street greenery and extensive tree cover in street design.
The Green Infrastructure Plan is connected with multiannual green programmes that specify in greater detail the measures to be taken on the priorities agreed, how those measures will be financed, and a planning schedule. Co-financing and cooperation are articulated as particularly important in...
