Cities of the Future: How to Design Green Spaces Resilient to Climate Change
Cities of the Future: How to Design Green Spaces Resilient to Climate Change
Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is becoming an everyday reality, and cities are among the places most vulnerable to its impacts.
Extreme heatwaves, heavy rainfall, flash floods, and prolonged droughts are phenomena increasingly affecting urban spaces around the world. According to the latest IPCC report (2023), urban areas will experience these phenomena even more intensely in the coming decades.
At the same time, cities, which today occupy less than 3% of the planet’s land surface, are responsible for about 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions (UN-Habitat, 2022).
The process of urbanization is also accelerating — it is estimated that by 2050, as much as 70% of the world’s population will live in cities (UN, World Urbanization Prospects, 2022).
In response to these challenges, more and more experts emphasize the need to create climate-resilient cities.
However, the key to resilience is not only new technologies, concrete barriers, or expensive cooling systems — but a return to nature: smart design of green spaces that support ecosystem functions.
Green infrastructure — urban forests, rain gardens, green roofs, and pocket parks — is becoming a strategic tool in the fight for the future of cities.
But how can we design such spaces wisely?
How does effective green infrastructure differ from random plantings?
And what examples from around the world show that it is possible to combine urban development with a return to nature?
Urbanization and Climate Change: The City as the 21st Century Challenge
Urbanization is one of the most powerful processes shaping the Earth’s landscape. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the urban population has increased nearly tenfold — from 220 million to over 4.4 billion people by 2024 (World Bank, 2024).
Cities attract people, capital, and innovation but also become hotspots of environmental problems, especially in the context of climate change.
The City as an “Urban Heat Island”
One of the best-known effects of urbanization is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon:
Cities absorb and retain more heat than surrounding rural areas.
Concrete, asphalt, and steel absorb solar energy during the day and emit it at night, raising the temperature of the local microclimate.
Research shows that:
At peak times, the temperature difference between a city center and suburban areas can be as much as 5–7°C (Oke, Energy and Buildings, 1982; IPCC updates 2022).
In the world’s largest cities (e.g., Tokyo, New York, Delhi), this effect significantly increases mortality during heatwaves.
Fact in numbers:
It is estimated that urban heat islands account for about 30% of the increased health risk during heatwaves in Europe and North America (European Environment Agency, 2022).
Concrete Cities = Less Water Retention
Another problem is the loss of the soil’s natural ability to absorb and store water.
In cities:
Impermeable surfaces (asphalt, concrete) dominate, causing rapid runoff of rainwater.
The risk of flash floods increases — even after short but intense rainfall.
Additionally, most sewer systems were designed for the average rainfall levels of the 20th century and cannot cope with today’s extreme weather, intensified by climate change.
Example:
In 2021, flash floods in Germany destroyed entire towns (e.g., Ahrweiler) due to insufficient rainwater retention and extreme rainfall exceeding historical records.
Urbanization vs. Nature
Traditional city planning (especially in the 20th century) was based on the idea of human domination over nature:
Maximization of built-up areas,
Straight-line drainage of water,
Removal of “unnecessary” greenery.
Today we know that such an approach accelerates the effects of climate change:
It reduces biodiversity,
It lowers cities’ adaptive capacity,
It increases social inequalities (e.g., lack of green spaces in poorer neighborhoods).
City of the Future = Ecosystem
In the face of growing threats, the concept of future cities is undergoing a fundamental shift:
A city should be treated as part of an ecosystem, not as an isolated entity.
Greenery and water are not decorations — they are key elements of climate resilience.
Green Infrastructure: Definition and Key Functions
In response to the challenges of urbanization and climate change, a new approach to urban planning has emerged: Green Infrastructure (GI).
Unlike traditional “grey infrastructure” (roads, pipelines, sewers), green infrastructure uses natural processes and elements of nature to perform key ecological, social, and economic functions.
What is Green Infrastructure?
The European Commission defines green infrastructure as:
“A strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services.”
In other words:
It is not just about parks or green areas, but about comprehensive systems connecting green and water spaces into a functional network.
The goal is to integrate nature with urban functions: water retention, air quality improvement, temperature regulation, and biodiversity support.
Key Functions of Green Infrastructure in Cities
Microclimate Regulation
Vegetation cools the air through transpiration (the release of water vapor) and shading.
Research (Bowler et al., Landscape and Urban Planning, 2010) shows that temperatures in urban parks can be 1–3°C lower than in the surrounding built environment.Water Retention and Purification
Green spaces (e.g., rain gardens, retention parks) store rainwater and slow down surface runoff, reducing the risk of flooding.
Plant roots and soil microorganisms purify water from heavy metals and chemical pollutants.Carbon Sequestration
Vegetation and urban soils capture and store CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Urban trees in the United States remove about 700 million tons of CO₂ annually (Nowak et al., Environmental Pollution, 2013).Air Quality Improvement
Greenery filters particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and absorbs harmful gases such as NO₂ and O₃.Biodiversity Enhancement
Green spaces provide habitats for birds, pollinating insects, small mammals, and rare plants.
Even small elements, such as pocket parks or green roofs, can significantly increase ecological connectivity in cities.Social and Health Benefits
Contact with nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves mental well-being (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, Environmental Research, 2018).
Green infrastructure promotes physical activity and builds social bonds.
Green vs. Grey Infrastructure: The Fundamental Difference
Grey Infrastructure:
Concrete channels draining water
Air conditioning cooling buildings
Flood protection levees
Green Infrastructure:
Rain gardens capturing water
Tree-lined avenues reducing the need for air conditioning
Natural floodplains and wetlands absorbing excess water
How Nature in Cities Mitigates the Effects of Climate Change
Green infrastructure is not just a “nice addition” to urban spaces. It is a real tool for mitigating the effects of climate change — often more effective and sustainable than many technological solutions.
1. Reducing Urban Heat Islands
Urban vegetation, especially trees, plays a crucial role in lowering temperatures in cities in several ways:
Shade cast by tree canopies can reduce surface temperatures by 15–20°C compared to heated asphalt (Akbari et al., Urban Climate, 2001).
Transpiration — the process of water evaporation through leaves — acts as a natural air conditioner, cooling the air around plants.
Research shows that increasing urban tree cover by 10% can lower average urban temperatures by about 1.5°C (Gill et al., Global Environmental Change, 2007).
Fact in numbers:
In New York City, the MillionTreesNYC program contributed to lowering urban temperatures by 0.5–1°C in the most vulnerable neighborhoods (Rosenzweig et al., Environmental Research Letters, 2011).
2. Water Retention and Purification
Natural urban water retention systems counteract the effects of heavy rainfall and flooding:
Rain gardens capture rainwater, allowing it to slowly infiltrate the soil.
Urban wetlands act as natural retention basins, reducing flood risk.
Example:
In Copenhagen, the Climate-Resilient Neighbourhood project in Østerbro introduced a system of green streets and rain parks capable of storing up to 30 mm of rainfall at once, reducing flood risk by 80% compared to traditional solutions (City of Copenhagen, 2017).
Fun fact:
1 m² of green roof can retain between 50% and 80% of annual rainfall (Mentens et al., Landscape and Urban Planning, 2006).
3. Increasing Urban Communities’ Resilience
Contact with nature also has a significant impact on the psychological and social resilience of urban residents:
Studies show that access to green spaces reduces stress levels and increases subjective well-being (Hartig et al., Annual Review of Public Health, 2014).
Green spaces foster social bonds, build local communities, and increase neighborhood safety.
Example:
In Medellín (Colombia), the creation of “green corridors” not only reduced average temperatures by 2°C but also contributed to a 9% decrease in crime rates in adjacent neighborhoods (UN-Habitat, 2019).
4. Strengthening Biodiversity
Designing green spaces with plant species diversity in mind helps:
Attract pollinators (bees, butterflies),
Strengthen food webs,
Protect local endangered species.
Even small interventions — such as creating urban wildflower meadows — can increase pollinator species richness by 50–70% compared to traditional lawns (Baldock et al., Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2019).
Best Practices: Designing Green Spaces of the Future
In the face of growing climate challenges, designing green spaces in cities is no longer about aesthetics — it has become a strategic investment in survival.
Best practices from around the world show that effective solutions combine ecological functionality, biodiversity, and the strengthening of local communities.
1. Miyawaki Forests in Cities
The Miyawaki method, which you have already discussed extensively in your foundation’s article, fits perfectly into the modern approach to urban ecology:
Planting dense, multi-species mini-forests accelerates soil regeneration, increases water retention, and rapidly builds a local microclimate.
Such forests become self-sustaining within just a few years, and their biodiversity can be up to 100 times higher than traditional urban plantings.
Example:
In Paris and Brussels, Miyawaki mini-forests are being created on small plots of 100–300 m², effectively reducing the urban heat island effect and improving air quality.
2. Rain Gardens and Retention Parks
Instead of treating rainwater as a problem, cities are increasingly designing spaces that:
Capture,
Purify,
Utilize water to nourish local ecosystems.
A rain garden is a specially designed depression filled with vegetation resilient to varying water conditions.
Retention parks serve as reservoirs for excess water during heavy rainfall, protecting lower-lying districts from flooding.
Example:
In Seattle (USA), the “Street Edge Alternatives” (SEA Streets) program uses a network of rain gardens instead of traditional curbs, reducing surface runoff by over 99% compared to a standard street.
3. Green Roofs and Green Walls
In cities where horizontal space is limited, vertical solutions are gaining importance:
Green roofs improve building insulation, store rainwater, and contribute to local air cooling.
Green walls (vertical gardens) filter the air and can serve as noise barriers.
Example:
In Basel (Switzerland), since 2002, it has been mandatory to install green roofs on all new flat-roofed buildings, bringing significant microclimatic and hydrological benefits to the city.
4. Biodiversity as the Foundation of Design
More and more cities are moving away from “lawn monocultures” toward designing green spaces that support local fauna and flora:
Wildflower meadows,
Planting of native tree and shrub species,
Creating microhabitats for pollinators and birds.
Example:
In London, the “Making Space for Nature” program established 200 new wildflower meadows, boosting the local wild bee population by over 300% in five years (Greater London Authority, 2021).
Key Principles of Effective Green Space Design
Locality: Using native plant species.
Connectivity: Creating ecological corridors, not isolated green islands.
Multifunctionality: Green spaces should serve multiple functions simultaneously: heat protection, water retention, biodiversity support.
Social Participation: Involving residents in the design and care of green spaces.
Case Studies: Cities Implementing Effective Solutions
More and more cities around the world are demonstrating that the intelligent implementation of green infrastructure not only improves residents’ quality of life but also significantly enhances resilience to the impacts of climate change. Here are some of the most inspiring examples:
1. Singapore – A City in a Garden
Since the 1960s, Singapore has been consistently pursuing a policy of integrating nature with urbanization.
The “City in a Garden” project includes:
Over 300 parks and 4,000 hectares of green space,
Mandatory green roofs and walls on new developments,
Protection of existing ecosystems (e.g., Bukit Timah rainforest).
Effects:
The average temperature in the most densely built-up districts is 2–4°C lower than in comparable cities in Southeast Asia (Wong et al., Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2020).
Singapore has one of the world’s largest networks of ecological corridors, connecting parks and forests.
2. Copenhagen – The Green Rain City
Copenhagen was one of the first cities in Europe to introduce a comprehensive Climate Change Adaptation Plan, with key elements including:
Rain gardens,
Permeable streets,
Parks and squares designed as retention basins during heavy rainfall.
Effects:
The new water retention systems have reduced the risk of flooding in the city center by about 70% during intense rainfall events (City of Copenhagen, 2017).
Copenhagen aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2025, partly thanks to investments in green infrastructure.
3. Rotterdam – A Pioneer in Water Adaptation
Situated below sea level, Rotterdam had to become a leader in climate adaptation.
Key solutions include:
Water Squares – urban plazas that transform into retention basins during rain.
Green roofs as part of the “Climate Proof City” strategy.
Effects:
Water Squares can store between 500 and 1,700 cubic meters of water at a time.
Green roofs now cover over 400,000 m² of the city’s surface.
4. Medellín – Green Corridors Transform the City
Once considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Medellín has pursued radical ecological transformation by:
Establishing green corridors along streets and rivers,
Creating new parks and revitalizing existing public spaces.
Effects:
The average temperature in the hottest districts dropped by up to 2°C (UN-Habitat, 2019).
Improvements in air quality and reductions in crime rates have been noted in areas surrounding the new green spaces.
Summary of Case Studies
These examples show that:
Investments in green infrastructure are effective and measurable,
They bring multifaceted benefits — ecological, social, and economic,
The key is strategic planning, not random greenery planting.
Challenges and Barriers to Implementing Green Infrastructure
Although the benefits of green infrastructure are well-documented, its implementation in cities worldwide still faces numerous challenges.
Understanding these barriers is crucial for effectively planning and executing change.
1. High Initial Costs
Establishing green roofs, creating retention parks, or rewilding urban areas requires significant upfront investment.
Investments in green infrastructure often compete with more “visible” grey infrastructure projects (e.g., roads, public buildings).
However, cost-benefit analyses (CBA) show that long-term savings related to flood risk reduction, lower air conditioning costs, and improved public health outweigh the initial investments (World Bank, 2019).
2. Urban Planning Issues
Many cities lack appropriate regulations that account for the protection and development of green infrastructure.
Potentially valuable natural areas are often allocated for commercial purposes (e.g., office buildings, shopping centers).
Fragmentation of green spaces limits their effectiveness — a single park cannot replace an extensive green network.
Fun fact:
Research shows that ecological connectivity (e.g., green corridors linking parks) can increase the functionality of green areas by up to 50% compared to isolated patches (Haddad et al., Science Advances, 2015).
3. Lack of Public and Political Awareness
Green infrastructure is often seen as a “luxury” or “decoration” rather than a strategic investment in climate security.
Politicians and investors may overlook long-term benefits, focusing on quick, visible outcomes.
Residents may oppose projects if they don’t understand their purpose (e.g., converting parking spaces into rain gardens).
4. Maintenance and Management Challenges
Green spaces require regular maintenance: watering, pruning, monitoring plant health.
Without proper management, green areas can degrade and lose their ecological functions.
In many cases, it is unclear who is responsible for maintaining new greenery — the city, housing communities, or individual residents?
Example:
In some cities (e.g., Portland, USA), a model of “adopting” green spaces by local communities is in place — residents take care of rain gardens and green streets, increasing engagement and reducing public costs.
5. Spatial Conflicts
In densely built-up cities, finding space for new green investments without infringing on existing commercial or transportation interests is difficult.
Green infrastructure requires long-term thinking and compromises: sometimes limiting development to create space for a park or pocket forest is necessary.
Section Summary
Despite these challenges, green infrastructure is one of the most effective tools for adapting cities to climate change.
Overcoming barriers requires:
better planning,
a change in decision-makers’ approaches,
educating residents,
and treating nature not as an obstacle but as a partner in the development of future cities.
Cities Are on the Front Line in the Fight Against Climate Change
Urbanization does not have to mean the domination of concrete, isolation from nature, and increasing risk of natural disasters.
On the contrary: the future of cities will depend on how effectively they reintegrate with nature.
Green infrastructure — smartly designed urban forests, rain gardens, pocket parks, and green roofs — is becoming the foundation for building resilient, healthy, and equitable cities of the future.
This is not an aesthetic addition. It is the infrastructure of life.
We are already seeing this today in cities like Singapore, Copenhagen, and Medellín, which have shown that investing in nature within urban environments brings tangible benefits: cooler microclimates, cleaner air, better water retention, increased biodiversity, and improved public health.
Of course, the path to full integration of green infrastructure with cities is full of challenges: high initial costs, lack of public awareness, planning difficulties.
But a future where cities are stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful — is within our reach.
In times of climate crisis, we must understand that the true “city of the future” is one that gives space back to nature — not for ideology, but for survival.
Because cities that restore nature will save themselves.
