The zone cube model – A tool to operationalise green infrastructure prioritisation

• Published in: Landscape and urban planning Vol. 243; p. 104976
• Main Authors: Szitár, Katalin, Bánhidai, András, Csecserits, Anikó, Csőszi, Mónika, Halassy, Melinda, Kertész, Miklós, Kollányi, László, Schneller, Krisztián, Teleki, Mónika, Vaszócsik, Vilja, Török, Katalin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2024
• Subjects: case studies; ecosystems; green infrastructure; Hungary; land use; landscapes; prioritization; vegetation; Hungary
• ISSN: 0169-2046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104976

The concept of green infrastructure (GI) offers a comprehensive approach for environmental sustainability with the network of multifunctional ecosystems providing positive ecological, economic and societal benefits. In our study, we showed a five step conceptual framework with a case study for Hungary to evaluate GI and spatially prioritise its development methods. We created a three-dimensional zone cube model to evaluate GI performance based on the three main pillars of GI (i.e. ecological condition, ecosystem services, and ecological connectivity). We designated zones for four development approaches (i.e. ecosystem preservation, enhancement, conversion, and connectivity improvement), identified target ecosystems for conversion by using multiple potential natural vegetation (MPNV) modelling, and prioritised them based on land use conflict and feasibility indicators. According to the condition assessment, 49% of Hungary’s area may be regarded as part of the actual GI network. We identified 15.4% as possible ecosystem enhancement area, 80.3% as potential ecosystem conversion region, and 1.9% as potential landscape corridor areas in addition to 5.3% of the country’s area with outstanding GI status recommended for preservation. As an illustration of how to prioritize the restoration of grasslands, we demonstrated that 3.15 million hectares would likely be suitable for grasslands, 1.96 million hectares experience one or more environmental conflicts, and 172,000 ha should receive priority because they are also Natura 2000 sites. Our framework provided a unified operational tool overarching GI performance assessment, designation, and development prioritisation applicable at the national level providing also means to quantify measurable targets to support sustainability commitments globally.