URBAN GREEN SPACES: PERSPECTIVES FOR INTEGRATING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES EVALUATION (BASED ON EXPERT INTERVIEWS)

Abstract

Ecosystem services (ES) evaluation is essential for sustainable urban development. The article presents the results of a study aimed at determining the features of ES inclusion to urban planning and management of urban green spaces in Russia. For this purpose, a series of 30 interviews with experts from several cities of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Apatity, Rostov-on-Don, etc.) representing various professional areas (public administration, urban planning, landscape engineering, science, public organizations, etc.) was conducted. The results show that ES of urban blue-green infrastructure are not sufficiently reflected in decision-making practices and processes. They are not included in strategic urban planning, as well as in landscape and urban development projects. At the same time, the scientific community has obvious problems in resolving a large block of disagreements related to the lack of a common terminology, typologies, and methods for assessing ES. Experts understand the potential of integrating ES in decision-making and form a request for the development of methodological materials and the implementation of tools and approaches. During the study, a list of proposals on possible ways to include the ES in the practical activities of the professional community and in the management of urban green spaces was formed. The study was supported by the Russian Scientific Foundation (project No. 19-77-30012). The authors express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the experts who participated in the interviews.