A Proposal to Assess the Benefits of Urban Ecosystem Services

Abstract

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2005 defined and categorized the concept of Ecosystem Services and the strategic role of natural capital. The need to rethink our cities and public spaces is even more pressing in the COVID-19 era. In this context, green strategies could be the answer to the new demands raised by citizens about the built and natural environment. Green roofs, along with the other green spaces, form the city’s green network, contribute to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of citizens. The present contribution aims to evaluate green roofs from an ecosystem perspective, by considering the evidence of their benefits on inhabitants’ wellbeing, their ability to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. A proposal for an integrated evaluation model is presented to take into account the different dimensions of value in the study of Ecosystem Services (ESs) and to support decision makers (DMs) in the definition of actions able to increase the quality of life in cities.