49
children and teenagers, who are not served in the present condition. The ‘balanced’
perspective promotes both ES equally but assigns a higher weight to vulnerable
groups. Values for each criterion and sub- criterion were normalised according to
the maximum and a ‘weighted summation’ approach was used to calculate the overall score for each alternative, hence defining the final rankings for the three perspectives. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the robustness of the
rankings to variations in the weights assigned to criteria and sub-criteria. Further
details on the methodology adopted to compare the brownfield regeneration scenarios can be found in Cortinovis and Geneletti (2018a).
5.4 Planning Scenarios Evaluated Through ES
5.4.1 Current ES Provision Across the City
The current provision of the two analysed ES (Figs. 5.2-5.3) is used as baseline to
measure the benefits of brownfield regeneration scenarios. The map of the cooling
effect produced by green infrastructure in the valley floor, i.e., the most urbanised
area of the city, shows a prevalence of the highest classes of cooling effect (Fig. 5.2).
The presence of close-by forests and of the river Adige and its tributaries contributes
to lower the temperature of their surroundings. Disadvantaged areas can be observed
in the dense neighbourhoods close to the city centre and in the northern suburbs.
Here, the mix of residential and industrial areas with little green infrastructure, as
well as the high rate of soil sealing produced by the concentration of urban activities
and major transport infrastructures, have a negative impact on the cooling performance of the city. Most of the brownfields are strategically located close to areas
that scarcely benefit from the cooling effect of green infrastructure.
The map of ROS shows a clear difference in the recreation opportunities between
the main urban settlement in the valley floor and its surroundings (Fig. 5.3). The
main urban settlement is mostly characterized by low values of RP, but large urban
parks and the riverbanks provide good opportunities for nature-based recreation
thanks to their high accessibility. The surroundings are mostly characterised by high
values of RP, but the availability of infrastructures and facilities is not homogeneous. Forests characterised by the presence of forest tracks, hiking trails, and
facilities dedicated to specific activities such as climbing routes and MTB trails are
mainly located close to the villages. Areas in the highest class of ROS prevail on the
east side of the valley, whilst on the west side, where the settlements are sparser and
the connections with the valley floor are more difficult, many areas are characterised
by high RP but low proximity. The analysis suggests different directions for interventions. While infrastructures and facilities could be strengthened in natural and
semi-natural areas, interventions in the main urban settlement should focus on
achieving a more equal distribution of urban green areas. The location of some of
the brownfields represents an opportunity to act in this direction, thus enhancing the
condition of people that currently have no or very few close-to-home opportunities
for nature-based recreation.
5.4 Planning Scenarios Evaluated Through ES
children and teenagers, who are not served in the present condition. The ‘balanced’
perspective promotes both ES equally but assigns a higher weight to vulnerable
groups. Values for each criterion and sub- criterion were normalised according to
the maximum and a ‘weighted summation’ approach was used to calculate the overall score for each alternative, hence defining the final rankings for the three perspectives. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the robustness of the
rankings to variations in the weights assigned to criteria and sub-criteria. Further
details on the methodology adopted to compare the brownfield regeneration scenarios can be found in Cortinovis and Geneletti (2018a).
5.4 Planning Scenarios Evaluated Through ES
5.4.1 Current ES Provision Across the City
The current provision of the two analysed ES (Figs. 5.2-5.3) is used as baseline to
measure the benefits of brownfield regeneration scenarios. The map of the cooling
effect produced by green infrastructure in the valley floor, i.e., the most urbanised
area of the city, shows a prevalence of the highest classes of cooling effect (Fig. 5.2).
The presence of close-by forests and of the river Adige and its tributaries contributes
to lower the temperature of their surroundings. Disadvantaged areas can be observed
in the dense neighbourhoods close to the city centre and in the northern suburbs.
Here, the mix of residential and industrial areas with little green infrastructure, as
well as the high rate of soil sealing produced by the concentration of urban activities
and major transport infrastructures, have a negative impact on the cooling performance of the city. Most of the brownfields are strategically located close to areas
that scarcely benefit from the cooling effect of green infrastructure.
The map of ROS shows a clear difference in the recreation opportunities between
the main urban settlement in the valley floor and its surroundings (Fig. 5.3). The
main urban settlement is mostly characterized by low values of RP, but large urban
parks and the riverbanks provide good opportunities for nature-based recreation
thanks to their high accessibility. The surroundings are mostly characterised by high
values of RP, but the availability of infrastructures and facilities is not homogeneous. Forests characterised by the presence of forest tracks, hiking trails, and
facilities dedicated to specific activities such as climbing routes and MTB trails are
mainly located close to the villages. Areas in the highest class of ROS prevail on the
east side of the valley, whilst on the west side, where the settlements are sparser and
the connections with the valley floor are more difficult, many areas are characterised
by high RP but low proximity. The analysis suggests different directions for interventions. While infrastructures and facilities could be strengthened in natural and
semi-natural areas, interventions in the main urban settlement should focus on
achieving a more equal distribution of urban green areas. The location of some of
the brownfields represents an opportunity to act in this direction, thus enhancing the
condition of people that currently have no or very few close-to-home opportunities
for nature-based recreation.
5.4 Planning Scenarios Evaluated Through ES