Nature Based Strategies for Urban and Building Sustainability

Nature Based Strategies for Urban and Building Sustainability reviews the current state-of-the-art on the topic. In the introduction, the editors review the fundamental concepts of nature elements in the built environment, along with the strategies that are necessary for their inclusion in buildings and cities. Part One describes strategies for the urban environment, discussing urban ecosystems and ecosystem services, while Part Two covers strategies and technologies, including vertical greening systems, green roofs and green streets. Part Three covers the quantitative benefits, results, and issues and challenges, including energy performances and outdoor comfort, air quality improvement, acoustic performance, water management and biodiversity.

• Provides an overview of the different strategies available to integrate nature in the built environment
• Presents the current state of technology concerning systems and methodologies on how to incorporate nature in buildings and cities
• Features the latest research results on operation and ecosystem services
• Covers both established and new designs, including those still in the experimental stage

Academics and industry practitioners within the construction industry

Introduction: scale matters and relevance

Section 1: Nature based strategies for urban environment

1.1 Urban ecosystem

1.2 Ecosystem services in urban environments

1.3 Incentive policy for nature-based strategies

Section 2: Nature based strategies and technologies

2.1 Vertical greening systems: Classifications, plant species, substrates

2.2 Vertical greening systems: Irrigation and maintenance

2.3 Green roofs: Classifications, plant species, substrates

2.4 Green roofs: Irrigation and maintenance

2.5 Green streets: Classifications, plant species, substrates, irrigation and maintenance

Section 3: Nature based strategies: benefits and challenges

3.1 Vertical greening systems to enhance the thermal performance of buildings and outdoor comfort

3.2 Green roofs to enhance the thermal performance of buildings and outdoor comfort

3.3 Green streets to enhance outdoor comfort

3.4 Vertical greening systems for pollutants reduction

3.5 Green roofs for pollutants reduction

3.6 Green streets for pollutants reduction

3.7. Vertical greening systems for acoustic insulation and noise reduction

3.8. Green roofs for acoustic insulation and noise reduction

3.9. Green streets for noise reduction

3.10. Vertical greening systems to improve water management

3.11. Green roofs to improve water management

3.12. Green streets to improve water management

3.13 Vertical greening systems as habitat for biodiversity

3.14. Green roofs as habitat for biodiversity

3.15. Green streets as habitat for biodiversity

Section 4: Nature based strategies: social, Economic and environmental sustainability

4.1. Vertical greening systems social and aesthetic aspects

4.2. Green roofs social and aesthetic aspects

4.3. Green streets social and aesthetic aspects 

4.4. Economic benefits and costs of vertical greening systems

4.5. Economic benefits and costs of green roofs

4.6. Economic benefits and costs of Green streets

4.7. Life cycle assessment of vertical greening systems

4.8. Life cycle assessment of green roofs

Summary: suggestions for further research and marker development