References

Original Reference: Saraev, V. (2012). Economic benefits of greenspace: a critical assessment of evidence of net economic benefits.

Brief Summary: This document explores the role of urban forestry in enhancing climate resilience. Implications: Green infrastructure can mitigate urban heat islands and improve rural-urban environmental interactions. Recommendations: Include urban forestry initiatives in RAPs to foster ecological resilience and mitigate climate impacts​​.

URL: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/documents/1967/FCRP019.pdf

Original Reference: Nagase, A. & Koyama, S. (2020). Attractiveness and preference of extensive green roofs depend on vegetation types and past experience with plants in Japan, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.

Brief Summary: Explores the role of urban forestry in improving environmental health. PoliRuralPlus could enhance rural-urban environmental sustainability through policies promoting green infrastructure and urban-rural reforestation​(

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126658

Original Reference: Pauleit, S. et al. (2019). Advancing urban green infrastructure in Europe: Outcomes and reflections from the GREEN SURGE project. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 40: 4–16.

Brief Summary: The article discusses the role of urban forestry in enhancing ecological and social benefits in urban areas. Implications: Urban forestry can strengthen rural-urban ecological linkages. Recommendations: Include green infrastructure projects in RAPs, focusing on integrating urban and rural ecosystems to enhance sustainability and improve quality of life.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.10.006

Original Reference: Elands, B. et al. (2019). Biocultural diversity: A novel concept to assess human-nature interrelations, nature conservation and stewardship in cities. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 40: 29-34

Brief Summary: This paper examines the role of urban forestry in promoting green infrastructure. RAPs should integrate urban forestry and green infrastructure solutions to enhance environmental resilience and biodiversity in rural-urban regions. PoliRuralPlus pilots can adopt these approaches to foster sustainable and climate-resilient development.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.02.011

Original Reference: Dempsey, N. & Burton, M. (2011). Defining place-keeping: The long-term management of public spaces. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 11: 11–20

Brief Summary: This article discusses the role of urban forestry in managing rural-urban environments. RAPs can integrate urban forestry initiatives to enhance environmental sustainability and improve quality of life in rural-urban regions. For PoliRuralPlus, it emphasizes fostering greener urban-rural interfaces through nature-based solutions.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2011.09.005

Original Reference: Scartazza, A. et al. (2020). Caring local biodiversity in a healing garden: Therapeutic benefits in young subjects with autism. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 47: 126511.

Brief Summary: A study on the role of urban forestry in promoting resilience and sustainability. Implications: Urban-rural green corridors can help mitigate climate change impacts. Recommendations: Incorporate urban forestry and green corridors in regional action plans to enhance climate resilience​.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.126511

Original Reference: Mell, I.C. et al. (2013). Promoting urban greening: Valuing the development of green infrastructure investments in the urban core of Manchester, UK. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 12(3): 296-306.

Brief Summary: Discusses the importance of urban forests in regional planning. PoliRuralPlus can incorporate green infrastructure to promote environmental sustainability across rural-urban regions.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2013.04.006

Original Reference: Wild, T.C., Dempsey, N. & Broadhead, A.T. (2019). Volunteered information on nature-based solutions - Dredging for data on deculverting. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 40: 254-263.

Brief Summary: Focuses on the role of urban forests and green infrastructure in sustainable urban planning. Recommendations: RAPs should integrate green infrastructure in urban areas, linking it with rural ecosystems to promote biodiversity, health, and economic sustainability.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.04.011

Original Reference: Speak, A.F., Mizgajski, A. & Borysiak, J. (2015). Allotment gardens and parks: Provision of ecosystem services with an emphasis on biodiversity. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 14: 772–781.

Brief Summary: Discusses the role of urban forests in enhancing environmental sustainability in urban and rural areas. Implications: Urban forests provide ecological services that benefit both urban and rural communities. Recommendations: RAPs should promote green infrastructure projects, including urban forests, to improve ecological sustainability across rural-urban regions​.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.07.007

Original Reference: Brown, R.R., Farrelly, M.A. & Loorbach, D.A. (2013). Actors working the institutions in sustainability transitions: The case of Melbourne's stormwater management. Global Environmental Change, 23(4): 701-718

Brief Summary: The paper highlights the role of urban forests as nature-based solutions (NBS) to improve urban resilience and sustainability. For rural-urban linkages, it recommends incorporating NBS into RAPs to improve environmental quality and biodiversity, and to enhance rural economic development through eco-tourism and sustainable forestry .

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.06.011

Original Reference: EEA (2017). What is Green Infrastructure? Copenhagen, European Environment Agency

Brief Summary: This EEA resource defines green infrastructure and its role in urban environments. RAPs should incorporate green infrastructure to enhance environmental resilience and create sustainable urban-rural interfaces. PoliRuralPlus pilots can use these strategies to improve biodiversity, climate resilience, and urban-rural connectivity.

URL: https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/sustainability-transitions/urban-environment/urban-green-infrastructure/what-is-green-infrastructure

Original Reference: WHO (2016). Urban Green Space and Health: Interventions Impacts and Effectiveness.

Brief Summary: Reviews the health benefits of green spaces in urban areas. Recommendations: RAPs should integrate green spaces in urban-rural plans, ensuring health and environmental benefits for residents, while promoting rural tourism and green infrastructure in rural regions.

URL: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/urban-health/publications/2016/urbangreen-spaces-and-health-a-review-of-evidence-2016

Original Reference: Hanania, S. & Anton, B. (2019). Co-designing NBSs in Living Labs. Report on workshop round 2 in Frontrunner Cities. ProGIreg Project Deliverable 2.4.

Brief Summary: Discusses urban greening projects and stakeholder engagement. Recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include adopting green infrastructure solutions in RAPs and ensuring multi-stakeholder engagement across rural-urban regions.

URL: https://progireg.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Deliverables/D2.4_Report_on_WS_round_2_in_FRC_proGIreg_ICLEI_2019-10-01.pdf

Original Reference: Urban GreenUp (2019). Societal Challenge Catalogue. UrbanGreenUp Project Deliverable 1.2.

Brief Summary: Emphasizes the importance of nature-based solutions for urban resilience. PoliRuralPlus can adapt these strategies to enhance green infrastructure in rural-urban action plans, improving ecosystem services and overall sustainability in pilot regions.

URL: https://www.urbangreenup.eu/insights/reports/city-nature-plans.kl

Original Reference: Pritchard, R. & Brockington, D. (2019). Forests: regrow with locals’ participation. Nature, 569(7758): 630.

Brief Summary: Discusses the challenges of rapid urban growth and its environmental impacts. Recommendations: RAPs should prioritize green infrastructure and sustainable urban growth strategies that connect rural and urban systems for more balanced development.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-01752-8

Original Reference: Almassy, D. et al. (2018). Urban Nature Atlas: A Database of Nature-Based Solutions Across 100 European Cities

Brief Summary: Highlights the importance of integrating natural spaces into urban planning. Recommends using green infrastructure in PoliRuralPlus regions to enhance sustainability and improve quality of life in both areas.

URL: Urban Nature Atlas

Original Reference: de Vries, S. et al. (2003). Natural environments—healthy environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship between greenspace and health. Environment and Planning A, 35(10): 1717-1731

Brief Summary: This article investigates how urban planning affects regional development. For rural-urban linkages, it recommends that RAPs should emphasize integrated urban-rural planning, promoting balanced development and addressing infrastructure gaps, enhancing PoliRuralPlus’s regional action plans.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1068/a35111

Original Reference: Groeneveld, R. et al. (2019). Restoring marine ecosystems cost-effectively: lessons learned from the MERCES Project. MERCES Project Deliverable D7.4.

Brief Summary: Focuses on water management solutions for rural-urban areas. PoliRuralPlus should ensure RAPs include water resource management strategies to address rural-urban water needs and improve resilience to water scarcity.

URL: https://www.niva.no/en/publications/publication?cristinid=1797356

Original Reference: Versini, P.A. et al. (2018). A distributed modelling approach to assess the use of Blue and Green Infrastructures to fulfil stormwater management requirements. Landscape & Urban Planning, 173: 60–63.

Brief Summary: Investigates the potential for harmonizing urban planning with rural development. Recommendations: RAPs should integrate urban planning techniques into rural contexts, promoting balanced development and enhancing the functionality of rural-urban linkages.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2018.02.001

Original Reference: Bulkeley, H. & Kern, K. (2006). Local government and climate change governance in the UK and Germany. Urban Studies, 43 (12): 2237-2259

Brief Summary: This study explores planning approaches for sustainable cities and regions, providing insights into how coordinated regional governance can enhance rural-urban synergies. Key recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include fostering multi-level governance systems and ensuring that regional action plans incorporate sustainability goals through inclusive stakeholder processes. The paper suggests adopting holistic urban-rural planning frameworks that support economic, environmental, and social sustainability, which directly enhances the efficacy of integrated rural-urban regional action plans.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/00420980600936491