Potential of bioeconomy in urban green infrastructure

Abstract

In the course of the general discussion about sustainable urban development, there is currently a growing interest in urban greenery and the concept of green infrastructure, both at the national and international level. At the international level, the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy explicitly includes urban spaces. Urban green infrastructure offers a promising potential for bioeconomic activities. Bioeconomy stands for the structural change from a petroleum-based to a bio-based economy, which combines economic prosperity with ecological and social compatibility. The concept refers to the provision and use of renewable resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms, as well as the prevention of waste. The present contribution analyses the potential of bioeconomy in urban green infrastructure with a focus on a multifunctional biomass production, particularly focused on the production of food and feed through urban agriculture. The contribution discusses the potentials and challenges of urban gardening as well as urban farming approaches.