Submitted by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2017-03-18T14:30:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Thaisa Camila Vacari.pdf: 1558380 bytes, checksum: dcb4da4099b9976d50084ce1abf2a5e3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2017-03-18T15:15:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Thaisa Camila Vacari.pdf: 1558380 bytes, checksum: dcb4da4099b9976d50084ce1abf2a5e3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-18T15:15:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Thaisa Camila Vacari.pdf: 1558380 bytes, checksum: dcb4da4099b9976d50084ce1abf2a5e3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-11 / CAPES / FAPEMAT / A alternativa tecnológica de telhados verdes tem sido usada há muitos anos por países europeus e norte-americanos, porém somente na última década tem ganhado mercado no Brasil. Entre seus benefícios estão a redução de ilhas de calor, a diminuição das variações de temperatura, a minimização de ruídos e poluição do ar. Também podem aumentar a biodiversidade urbana e tornar o ambiente esteticamente mais agradável. Ainda podem melhorar a gestão de águas pluviais e a sua qualidade desta água. Por isso este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar qualitativamente as águas pluviais captadas de módulos experimentais de telhados verdes, com três tipos diferentes de vegetações localizados no município de Cuiabá, MT. E também, avaliar a porcentagem de retenção das águas pluviais captadas pelos mesmos módulos experimentais de telhados verdes e analisar se a intensidade da chuva influencia o volume de água pluvial retido. Para isso foram construídos três módulos de telhados verdes testando três vegetações diferentes que foram comparados a um telhado convencional. Na água captada dos telhados foram analisadas quinze variáveis de qualidade da água. Assim com relação à qualidade da água captada pelos módulos experimentais de telhados verdes foi possível observar que aumentaram as características da cor e turbidez e atuaram como concentradores de todos os nutrientes analisados. As concentrações de DBO, bactérias heterotróficas e fungos cultiváveis não apresentaram diferenças entre telhado convencional e telhados verdes. Em relação aos coliformes totais nos telhados verdes os resultados apresentaram valores de concentrações superiores ao telhado convencional, porém, o contrário ocorreu em relação à Escherichia coli. Também se notou que não há vegetação mais adequada para melhorar a qualidade da água, pois diversos são fatores que a influenciam e que cada vegetação atua de forma diferente. Os telhados verdes podem ser usados como minimizadores de problemas relacionados à drenagem urbana, já que os resultados demostraram que os telhados verdes podem reter de 46 a 61% da água. Ainda se observou que o tipo de vegetação do telhado verde tem efeito sobre as quantidades de retenção de escoamento e que os telhados verdes de herbácea e gramínea foram os que apresentaram maior porcentagem de retenção da água pluvial drenada por eles. Também se observou que existe uma relação inversa entre a intensidade da precipitação e a porcentagem de águas pluviais que é retida pelos telhados verdes, pois quanto menor a intensidade da chuva maior é o volume retido de água pluvial. / The alternative technology of green roofs has been used for many years by European and North American countries, but only in the last decade has gained market in Brazil. Among its benefits are the reduction of heat islands, the decrease of temperature variations, minimizing noise and air pollution. They can also increase urban biodiversity and make more aesthetically pleasing environment. Still can improve stormwater management and the quality of this water. Therefore, this study aimed to qualitatively characterize the rainwater captured experimental modules of green roofs, with three different types of vegetation located in the city of Cuiabá, MT. Also, evaluate the percentage of retention of rainwater captured by the same experimental modules of green roofs and analyze the intensity of rain influences the volume of retained rainwater. For that it was built three modules of green roofs testing three different vegetations were compared to a conventional roof. The water collected from the roofs were analyzed fifteen variables of water quality. So with regard to the quality of water abstracted by the experimental modules of green roofs has been observed that increased color characteristics and turbidity and acted as hubs of all analyzed nutrients. The concentrations of BOD, heterotrophic bacteria and fungi cultivated no differences between conventional roof and green roofs. In relation to total coliforms in green roofs results showed values of concentrations exceeding the conventional roof, however, the opposite occurred with respect to Escherichia coli. It was also noted that there is no longer adequate vegetation to improve the quality of the water, as are many factors that influence and that each vegetation operates differently. Green roofs can be used as minimizing problems related to urban drainage, since the results showed that green roofs can retain 46-61% water. Yet it was observed that the type of green roof vegetation has an effect on the flow retention amounts and green roofs of herbaceous and grassy showed the highest percentage of retention of rainwater drained by them. It was also observed that there is an inverse relationship between the intensity of precipitation and the percentage of rainwater is retained by green roofs, because the lower the intensity of the rain is higher retained volume of rainwater.

As transformações na paisagem, no meio-ambiente e nas relações socioespaciais das áreas atingidas pela implementação de Usinas Hidrelétricas na bacia do rio Uruguai, criam uma oportunidade de investigação sobre a implantação de uma Infraestrutura Verde para áreas junto a reservatórios, como um aspecto fundamental no estudo e proposição de modelos de paisagens multifuncionais que contribuam para a conservação dos ecossistemas e de seus processos naturais, e ao mesmo tempo, possibilitem a apropriação e valorização dos recursos paisagístico-ambientais e culturais das margens dos reservatórios hidrelétricos. Assim, o objetivo desta dissertação de mestrado foi avaliar a aplicação do conceito de Infraestrutura Verde na proteção, valorização e aproveitamento paisagístico-ambiental das margens dos reservatórios hidrelétricos propostos para a Bacia do rio Uruguai no seu trecho inteiramente brasileiro , com o estudo de caso específico do trecho do Reservatório da Usina Hidrelétrica Itá situado no município de Itá, no oeste do Estado de Santa Catarina. Para este estudo de caso, foi analisada, então, a organização espacial às margens do lago de Itá. Percebe-se, especialmente na borda dágua deste município, a ameaça de um desenvolvimento urbano desvinculado das questões ambientais e históricas de ocupação do território. Este aspecto pode gerar efeitos irreversíveis à estabilidade ambiental e ao potencial paisagístico e cultural da área. Cada vez mais as demandas turísticas são prioritárias nos processos de decisão, contribuindo para a privatização da orla da cidade que não só aprofunda a segregação social, como também traz prejuízos à paisagem e ao meio-ambiente, comprometendo o próprio turismo, que se baseia na atratividade paisagística da área. O cruzamento de informações referentes ao histórico da cidade, à sua situação atual e aos aspectos biofísicos locais culminou num plano paisagístico que visa integrar a cidade com sua orla e harmonizar os conflitos socioambientais identificados, estabelecendo um contínuo natural de espaços vegetados que articula paisagem, cultura e sociedade. A aplicação dos princípios da Infraestrutura Verde para um recorte espacial delimitado do município de Itá pode caracterizar-se como parte de uma estratégia para o aproveitamento e qualificação das potencialidades urbanas, paisagísticas, ambientais e culturais deste município. Mais do que isso, procura identificar oportunidades e indicar caminhos viáveis para um desenvolvimento econômico e social mais justo, que garanta uma qualidade ambiental e sustentabilidade futura, tanto para o reservatório quanto para as áreas naturais, rurais e urbanas de Itá, com a ideia de construir um lugar mais atrativo para se viver, trabalhar e visitar. / The changes in the landscape and environment and socio-spatial relations in areas affected by the implementation of Power Plants in the Uruguay river watershed creates an opportunity for research on the implementation of a Green Infrastructure for areas along the reservoir, as a fundamental aspect in the study and proposing models of multifunctional landscapes. Such models can contribute to the conservation of ecosystems and their natural processes, aiming at their integration with the appropriation and valorization of landscape-environmental and cultural resources at the waterfront of hydroelectric reservoirs. The objective of this master degree thesis was to evaluate the concept of Green Infrastructure in the protection, valorization, environmental and landscape use of the waterfront of hydroelectric reservoirs proposed for the Uruguay River watershed - in the Brazilian section - with the study case of the section of the reservoir of the Itá Power Plant located in the town of Itá in the western state of Santa Catarina. Was outlined also a proposal for the integration of the city, with the lake created from the implementation of the hydroelectric plant. For this case study was analyzed the new spatial organization on the shores of Ita lake. Especially at the city water edge, the threat of urban development released from environmental and historical land use can be seen, bringing irreversible effects to its environmental stability and its environmental and cultural potential. Increasingly the demands of tourism are priorities in decision-making, contributing to an initial process of privatization of the edge of town that not only deepens the social segregation, but also harms the landscape and the environment, affecting tourism itself, which is based on the attractiveness of the landscape area. The overlay of information relating to the historic city, its current situation and its biophysical local aspects lead to a landscape project that aims to integrate the city with its waterfront and to harmonize the social and environmental conflicts identified, emphasizing the idea of continuous vegetated spaces linking up landscape, culture and society. The implementation of principles of Green Infrastructure for a limited spatial area of the city of Itá can be characterized as part of a strategy for use and identification of urban, landscape, environmental and cultural potentialities in that town. More than that, it seeks to identify opportunities and point the way for a viable economic and social development more equitable, ensuring the environmental quality and sustainable future for both the reservoir and to natural, rural and urban areas of Itá, with the idea of building a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

A dissertação discute o tema do planejamento ambiental a partir do referencial da Ecologia da Paisagem e da Infraestrutura Verde. Para tanto, admite que os impactos da urbanização devem ser compatibilizados a um planejamento que considera os espaços livres a partir de sua multifuncionalidade - abarcando as questões de infraestrutura urbana, sociais, econômicas e ambientais. Diante deste contexto, a pesquisa sustenta que é preciso ter uma abordagem sistêmica, abrangente e transdisciplinar capaz de produzir uma análise diferencial entre conservar a biodiversidade, fornecer serviços ecossistêmicos e prover locais para habitação urbana. A pesquisa tem como objetivo relacionar os conteúdos dos campos disciplinares da Ecologia e Arquitetura da Paisagem no planejamento ambiental de um território não idealizado, visando a caracterização e conformação de uma rede de espaços livres urbanos. Para tanto, aplicam-se esses conceitos a uma investigação sobre como o planejamento ambiental pode contribuir à gestão da Zona de Amortecimento do Parque Estadual da Cantareira. As análises multivariadas contemplam a inserção social e ambiental do Parque, em específico, as áreas de conflito entre a ocupação urbana e a proteção jurídico administrativa dos recursos naturais. Verificou-se que a área apresenta alta diversidade de formas de relevo, muitas nascentes de rios, expressivas áreas ainda cobertas por vegetação em diversos estágios de sucessão, diferentes usos do solo e aspectos culturais e de lazer diversificados. O entorno do Parque é marcado por uma grande complexidade territorial que contribui para seu isolamento e fragmentação, sua face sul é circundada por áreas densamente ocupadas, pedreiras e aterros sanitários, enquanto a norte, por chácaras e zonas agrícolas. Após a contextualização, foram propostas diretrizes de planejamento ambiental para a rede de espaços livres, por meio de dispositivos de infraestrutura verde. / The dissertation discusses the issue of environmental planning from the perspective of Landscape Ecology and Green Infrastructure. The research admits that the assessments of the impacts of urbanization must be considered within the landscape planning, that accounts the multifunctionality of open spaces - deals with urban, social, economic and environmental infrastructure issues from the debate about green infrastructure. Regarding this context, the research argues the importance of a systemic, comprehensive and transdisciplinary approach to produce a differential analysis between conserving biodiversity, providing ecosystem services and providing places for urban housing. The aim is to debate how to integrate the contents of the of Ecology and Landscape Architecture into the environmental planning through a study case about the characterization and conformation of a network of urban open spaces. These concepts are applied to an investigation about how environmental planning can contribute to the management of the buffer zone of Cantareira State Park. The multivariate analyzes of the case study contemplate the social and environmental integration of the Park, specifically, the areas of conflict between urban occupation and the legal administrative protection of natural resources. The study verified that the area presents a high diversity of forms of relief, many river springs, expressive areas that are still covered by vegetation in several stages of succession, different uses of the soil and diversified cultural and leisure aspects. The surroundings of the Park are marked by a great territorial complexity that contributes to its isolation and fragmentation, in addition the south part is surrounded by densely occupied areas, quarries and sanitary landfills, while in the north part by farms. Finally, the research proposes some environmental planning guidelines for the network of free spaces per green infrastructure devices.

The study examines how the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy is intended to promote sustainable development. The study addresses the need for a social transformation, the process of implementing the Green Infrastructure Strategy, the strategy's objectives, and experience from the work on developing regional Green Infrastructure Action Plans. The objective of the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy is to lift the values ecosystems and biodiversity provide and to see and understand the landscape as a whole. The aim of the strategy is to increase the possibilities for implementing ecosystem-based solutions in several policy areas. The results show that, like sustainable development, the concept of green infrastructure is broad and complex. The results show a hopeful endeavor and ambitious goal setting efforts towards sustainable development, but also the challenges that the County Administrative Board meets in the implementation process.

La realización de esta memoria se encuentra en el marco del proyecto Fondecyt de Iniciación N°1180990 "Construcción social del clima urbano: hacia la calidad y justicia climática en ciudades chilenas". / Memoria para optar al título de Geógrafo / El deterioro en la calidad del aire es uno de los principales problemas ambientales que afectan a las ciudades alrededor del mundo, siendo la polución por material particulado 2,5 (MP2,5) la más peligrosa y mortal para el ser humano. Diversas también han sido las soluciones propuestas para ayudar a mitigar los efectos negativos de la contaminación atmosférica. De estas, una de las que ha tomado mayor fuerza durante el último tiempo corresponde a la utilización de los árboles urbanos para disminuir la contaminación al interior de las ciudades. Mediante el software I-Tree Eco, desarrollado por el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), se analizaron los efectos que posee el arbolado urbano sobre la interceptación y posterior absorción de MP2,5, al interior de la ciudad de Concepción, Región del Biobío, Chile. A partir de datos de calidad de aire, precipitación y la estructura de los árboles urbanos, el software permite estimar la cantidad de contaminación del aire removida durante un año por los árboles. Para lograr el propósito de la investigación, se utilizaron datos desde el Sistema de Información Nacional de Calidad del Aire (SINCA), mientras que el relleno de datos faltantes de esta base de datos, se realizó por medio del método de imputación de datos individual (SDEM Model). Por otra parte, la base de datos de precipitación se obtuvo desde la Red Agroclimática Nacional (AGROMET). Luego, mediante la fotointerpretación de imágenes satelitales a través de Google Earth, más las capas de levantamiento de espacios verdes, extraídas desde la red CEDEUS y el trabajo en terreno, se identificaron los elementos de la infraestructura verde de mayor relevancia, localizados al interior de la ciudad de Concepción. Junto con ello, se identificó al Parque Ecuador como uno de los espacios más importantes, debido a su tamaño y cercanía con el centro de la ciudad, asimismo, se realizó un inventario completo de los árboles urbanos presentes en su interior, identificando su estructura. Estos datos fueron procesados por el software, obteniendo la eliminación total de la contaminación por MP2,5, su capacidad de almacenamiento y secuestro de carbono, y la emisión total de compuestos orgánicos volátiles biogénicos (COVBs) que poseen los árboles urbanos del parque. Los resultados demuestran que el parque al año eliminó un total de 4,52 Kg de MP2,5, mientras que la tasa de eliminación fue de 0,13 gm-2 por cobertura arbórea; el almacenamiento de carbono fue de 350 toneladas de carbono y su secuestro bruto fue de 3,24 toneladas métricas por año, mientras que las especies del parque anualmente emiten un total de 50,48 Kg de COVBs. / Deterioration of air quality is one of the main environmental problems affecting cities around the world, with particulate matter pollution 2.5 (PM2.5) being the most dangerous and deadly for humans. The proposed solutions to help mitigate the negative effects of air pollution have been diverse; of these, one that has taken greater strength on recent times has been the use of urban trees to reduce pollution inside the cities. This way, through the software I-Tree Eco, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the effects of urban trees on the interception and subsequent absorption of PM2.5, inside of Concepción city, Biobío region, Chile were analyzed. Using data of air quality, precipitation and the structure of urban trees, the software allows to estimate the amount of air pollution removed by trees over a year. To achieve the objective of this research, data from the National Air Quality Information System (SINCA) was used, while the filling of missing data was done through the individual data imputation method (SDEM Model). Complete rainfall data was obtained from the National Agroclimatic Network (AGROMET). Then, through photointerpretation of satellite images from Google Earth, plus the layers of green space surveying, extracted from the CEDEUS network and workfield, the most relevant elements of the green infrastructure inside the city of Concepcion were identified. Ecuador Park was identified as one of the most relevant spaces on this city, and a complete inventory of the urban trees that are present inside of it was made, identifying its structure. The data was then processed by the software, obtaining the total elimination of the contamination by PM2.5, their storage capacity and carbon sequestration, and their emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that the urban trees of the park have. The results show that the park eliminated a total of 4.52 Kg of MP2.5 per year, while the elimination rate was 0.13 gm-2 for tree coverage; carbon storage was 350 tons of carbon and its gross sequestration was 3.24 metric tons per year, while the park species annually emit a total of 50.48 Kg of BVOCs.

Cities are growing at unprecedented rates and are expected to be home to 70% of the world’s population in 2050. In this process, they face challenges such as densification, rapid population growth and loss of land and ecosystem services. Cities also have to remain livable and accessible to all. In 2014, the Swedish Public Health Agency declared that it would aim to close all avoidable health inequalities within one generation. In order to reach these objectives while also complying with the Sustainable Development Goals, urban green infrastructure (UGI) has been increasingly viewed as a powerful instrument that cities can utilize to help them meet their sustainability and human health targets. As nature-based solutions, UGI can greatly contribute to building resilience in urban areas by providing a number of ecosystem services. Simultaneously, UGI have also been shown to possess equigenic functions – the capacity to support the health of the least advantaged population groups equally or more so than the most privileged. This study has therefore aimed to operationalize a methodology to help identify optimal locations for developing and managing UGI in Stockholm with the aim of prioritizing health and minimizing impacts on existing ecosystems. This was done by drawing on 3 spatial datasets (land-cover, health and healthcare consumption, socioeconomics) and combining them using a GIS. The resulting maps are made for individual as well as aggregated health indicators. They display multiple optimal location clusters that were often located in the outer parts of the city, notably in the north-western and south-eastern boroughs. The inner-city however, showed little need for equigenic UGI improvements. The results and the implications of this methodology are discussed in relation to several aspects of UGI, including quality, quantity and accessibility, gentrification and UGI’s role in the smart city. Suggestions for future research building on this methodology are also provided.

Climate changes are causing extreme weather conditions, which is expected to increase. Extreme precipitation is an example of this, which, through flooding, affects humans and buildings. This study aims to investigate how management of extreme precipitation takes place in two Swedish municipalities, the city of Gothenburg and Örebro municipality. Based on a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with employees in the municipalities and document analysis of the municipalities' strategic planning documents, this study takes shape. The theoretical approach is based on what the existing research considers to be the most successful strategic, practical and organizational approaches. The result of this study shows that there is a need for better knowledge and clearer regulations regarding the management of extreme precipitation. The municipalities have come further in the work with strategic planning than with practical measures. Multifunctional facilities are a priority and, based on the study material, is the most effective way to implement practical measures.

Världen idag står inför klimatförändringar och värmeböljor förväntas bli allt vanligare, långvarigare och intensivare. Byggnader är framför allt utformade för att bevara värme under kallare perioder och de flesta byggnader saknar möjlighet till aktiv kylning. Byggnader som klarar dagens energikrav behöver både vädring och solskydd för att inte uppnå hälsofarliga temperaturer under en värmebölja.  Under värmeböljor drabbas byggnader och människor i tätorter hårdare av värme än de ute på landsbygden eftersom värmen lagras i byggnader och solinstrålningen blir mer intensiv. Att utsättas för höga temperaturerna har en negativ effekt på människors hälsa och kan i värsta fall leda till dödlighet. Samtidigt ökar befolkningen inom tätorter och fler bostäder behöver byggas. Ökad bebyggelse kan leda till fler hårdytor och mindre grönska vilket i sin tur kan leda till ännu högre temperaturer i tätorter. Grön infrastruktur i tätorter kan bidra till temperatursänkning och är ett sätt att minska på konsekvenser från värmeböljor. Eftersom byggnader som klarar dagens energikrav behöver hjälpmedel för att inte uppnå höga inomhustemperaturer är det intressant att undersöka hur ett äldre flerbostadshus påverkas under samma omständigheter.  Syftet med studien är att bidra till ökad kunskap om hur det termiska inomhusklimatet i en äldre byggnad kan påverkas av en värmebölja, och hur grön infrastruktur på och runt byggnaden kan påverka det. Målet med studien är att besvara följande forskningsfrågor.  •       Hur kan en värmebölja påverka det termiska inomhusklimatet i ett tidstypiskt flerbostadshus från 1950-talet? •       Hur kan grön infrastruktur påverka det termiska inomhusklimatet i byggnaden?   Studien är en simuleringsstudie där datorprogrammet IDA ICE har använts för att skapa en modell av ett tidstypiskt flerbostadshus byggd på 50-talet. Simuleringar utfördes för att se hur inomhustemperaturen påverkas av en värmebölja. Den klimatdata som använts är från år 2018 i Göteborg där en värmebölja inträffade med utomhustemperaturer upp emot 35°C. Simuleringar för ett antal olika scenarion genomfördes för att undersöka om det var värmeböljan som påverkade det termiska inomhusklimatet eller om det var andra faktorer såsom, installationer eller brukarbeteenden. Grön infrastruktur i form av träd adderades sedan till scenarierna och simulerade inomhustemperaturer för scenarier med och utan träd jämfördes. Studiens resultat visade att värmeböljor bidrar till höga temperaturer i ett tidstypiskt flerbostadshus från 50-talet trots hjälpmedel som vädring. Den operativa inomhustemperaturen översteg Folkhälsmyndighetens rekommendationer vilket betyder att andra hjälpmedel måste installeras för att byggnaden inte ska uppnå höga temperaturer. Grön infrastruktur i form av tätare träd kunde sänka inomhustemperaturen med 3°C. Tätare träd sänkte inomhustemperaturen som max 2°C mer än glesare träd. Det visar att olika typer av gröna infrastruktur ger olika resultatet på inomhustemperaturen.  Studiens resultat pekar på behovet av att i fortsatta studier undersöka fler typer av grön infrastruktur, använda andra datorprogram eller undersöka andra parametrar som kan påverka inomhusklimatet. / The world is facing climate change and heat waves are expected to become more common, longer lasting and more intense. Buildings are primarily designed to retain heat during colder periods and most buildings do not have the option of active cooling. Buildings that meet today's energy requirements need both ventilation and sun protection in order to not reach unhealthy temperatures during a heat wave. Buildings and people in urban areas are hit harder by heat than those in rural areas during a heat wave because the heat is stored in buildings and the solar radiation becomes more intense. Exposure to high temperatures has a negative effect on human health and can, in worst case, lead to mortality. The population in urban areas are increasing and more homes need to be built. Increased buildings can lead to more hard surfaces and less greenery, which in turn can lead to even higher temperatures in urban areas. Green infrastructure in urban areas can contribute to lowering the temperature and is a way of reducing the consequences of heat waves. Since buildings that meet today's energy requirements need aid to not achieve high indoor temperatures, it is interesting to investigate how an older apartment building is affected under the same circumstances. The purpose of the study is to contribute to increased knowledge about how the thermal indoor climate in an older building can be affected by a heat wave, and how green infrastructure on and around the building can affect it. The aim of the study is to answer the following research questions. ·      How can a heat wave affect the thermal indoor climate in a typical apartment building from the 1950s? ·      How can green infrastructure affect the indoor thermal climate in the building? The study is a simulation study where the computer program IDA ICE has been used to create a model of a typical apartment building built in the 50s. Simulations were performed to see how the indoor temperature is affected by a heat wave. The climate data used is from 2018 in Gothenburg, where a heat wave occurred with outdoor temperatures up to 35 degrees. Simulations for several different scenarios were performed to investigate whether it was the heat wave that affected the thermal indoor climate or whether it was other factors such as, installations or user behaviors. Green infrastructure in the form of trees were then added to the scenarios and the simulated indoor temperatures for the scenarios with and without trees were compared. The results of the study showed that heat waves contribute to very high temperatures in a standard apartment building from the 50s, despite aids such as ventilation. The operating indoor temperature exceeded the Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations, which means that other aids must be installed for the building to not reach high temperatures. Green infrastructure in the form of denser trees could lower the indoor temperature with 3°C. Denser trees lowered the indoor temperature by a maximum of 2°C more than sparser trees. It shows that different types of green infrastructure give different results on the indoor temperature. The results of the study show that further studies can investigate more types of green infrastructure, using other computer programs or investigating other parameters that can affect the indoor climate.

Urban land use and land cover has changed in the USA, giving rise to the American lawn – manicured, resource-intensive, and non-native. Green infrastructure design has been suggested in the literature as a potential alternative to the American lawn when managed as native xeriscapes, which require little to no irrigation after establishment. Given the influence of public preference on landscaping decisions, what is the relationship between the perceived value and ecological benefits of the American lawn compared to such alternatives? Few studies have explored this question in addition to the effects of college courses on influencing student preferences, as future stakeholders, towards native xeriscapes as alternatives to the American lawn. This research measured the effects of an introductory environmental education (EE) course on measurably influencing undergraduate student preferences for four xeriscapes as alternatives to the American lawn. To measure these effects, this study utilized the perceptions of 488 students enrolled in an indirect introductory EE course and 131 students enrolled in an introductory non-EE course. Three key results emerged from this research. Students preferred the American lawn more than xeriscape alternatives, irrespective to course enrolled. Introductory non-EE did not have an effect on student preferences, whereas indirect introductory EE did show some effects on student preferences. Lastly, student preferences were negatively associated with NPP per photosynthetically active square meter. The data from this study suggests that indirect introductory EE does not shift aesthetic landscape preferences towards pro-environmental alternatives. These results show promise for shifting such preferences via more direct EE approaches.

No description available.