Evaluating naturalness and functioning of urban green infrastructure

Evaluating the state of urban green infrastructure (UGI) is a basic step to reach sustainability. Two indicators were used evaluate 89 UGI sites in Zaragoza, medium-sized city NE Spain: Naturalness (Nat), related area covered by natural components; Functioning (Fun), showing hydro-geomorphological features. Complementarily, 15 biophysical and social variables characterize these sites. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed group types UGI, while linear regressions ANOVAs applied identify relationships between characteristics, Nat Fun. The Zaragoza dominated artificial regular Most (73%) have low-medium values They mostly flat parks with very forms located most densely urbanized zones, 20% high Fun, corresponding well-conserved areas, either unchanged or slightly transformed. Only 3 displayed low Fun values. No had These groups distributed along first axis PCA which represented heterogeneous versus regularity flatness scattered throughout second gradient from paved vegetated Both positively correlated area, subsoil vegetation but negatively soil, after ANOVAs. results show that are effective assess Minimizing design, preserving topological relief, restricting components suggested achieve balanced representation ecosystem processes, functions, services within network city.