Urban green space monitoring for climate change mitigation

Abstract

Before presenting in detail the theme that this paper deals with, it is necessary to integrate the research on this matter within the larger context of climate change, which is at this time in a stage of unprecedented evolution. Worldwide, in the actual context of climate changes, more frequent and powerful natural disasters are expected. Disasters, representing a direct consequence of climate change, have also a negative impact on the environment as they are an obstacle to achieve sustainable development. In particular, Romania has many areas with different environmental problems concerning: air quality, water quality, soil quality, forest health, accidental pollution caused by the chemical industry, thermal processes or oil refineries. They represent a serious threat to the environment and implicitly for the population. Romania has endured the most sizeable and rapid urban change during the last decade. At the same time, this is a territory of substantial importance due to its significant natural and economic resources, as well as to its sensitivity with respect to unfavourable ecological impacts. Some of urban areas have undergone a considerable change in the past ten years. Therefore, urban dynamics monitoring of Romania appears to be an essential factor to the integrated urban areas management. So, scientists are urged to develop urban environment models in order to understand the mechanism of environmental issues better. With the study on these mechanisms of environmental issues, we can make a better urban environmental planning to achieve the best urban environmental benefits. The level of the living environment of humans, animals and plants is rising as a result of the improvement of the ecological environment. This is not only beneficial to human health but also to the protection of endangered plant and animal species. The study has great significance to both human and nature. The aim of this paper involves urban green spaces monitoring with a view to inventorying urban wooded areas and the trees inside the cities using LiDAR technology. As study area, a park near the “Dan Păltinișanu” stadium, Timișoara, Romania was chosen. The measurements have been realized using Trimble MX2, a mobile laser scanning system that combines high resolution laser scanning and precise positioning to collect georeferenced point cloud that is useful to projects with vast requirements. The platform used for data collection is composed of a Ford vehicle on which the Trimble MX2 scanner has been mounted. There were two sets of data collected at different speeds of approximately 10km/h, respectively 30km/h. For data processing, corrections are needed either given by a reference station either by a permanent GNSS station. In the second case, the correction are ordered and paid according to the number of hours requested to the Cadastre and Land Registration Office. For the present study, corrections from our own reference station have been used.