Greening in compact cities: A multicriteria approach to optimise small green space connectivity

Source abstract

In the face of growing environmental challenges stemming from urbanisation and densification, small urban green spaces (SUGS) and their connectivity represent a crucial source of ecosystem services (ES) for residents of compact areas where large-scale interventions are unfeasible. This research presents a methodological proposal for designing a green corridor in a dense, low environmental quality neighbourhood in Pamplona (Spain). Based on a literature review and a morphological analysis of the study area—which reveals the functions, limitations, and opportunities for Green Infrastructure (GI) in this context—a set of specific criteria are derived to plan an integrated SUGS network that enhances ecological and social connectivity. The methodology combines GIS with a multicriteria decision-making process, weighting key parameters—SUGS concentration, urban centrality, pre-existing linear elements, street width, and city-scale connectivity—to determine the optimal axes for a green corridor that links the neighbourhood's internal spaces with the city-wide system. The results reveal a corridor layout that differs significantly from the municipal Green Infrastructure Plan—which is based on visual criteria—by prioritising areas with high SUGS density and strategic centrality. This demonstrates that functional connectivity requires a data-driven approach contextualised by morphology, offering a replicable model for green infrastructure planning in compact urban fabrics.