ABSTRACT
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2005 defined and categorized the concept of Ecosystem Services and the strategic role of natural capital. The need to rethink our cities and public spaces is even more pressing in the COVID-19 era. In this context, green strategies could be the answer to the new demands raised by citizens about the built and natural environment. Green roofs, along with the other green spaces, form the city’s green network, contribute to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of citizens. The present contribution aims to evaluate green roofs from an ecosystem perspective, by considering the evidence of their benefits on inhabitants’ wellbeing, their ability to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. A proposal for an integrated evaluation model is presented to take into account the different dimensions of value in the study of Ecosystem Services (ESs) and to support decision makers (DMs) in the definition of actions able to increase the quality of life in cities. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, as in many countries around the world, has imposed rigid restrictions on outdoor activities, resulting in forced confinement. The new condition requires an analysis and a rethinking of the way of life and of the new pre- and post-pandemic needs related to the use of domestic spaces, necessary to work, study or carry out other daily activities. Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino, with the collaboration of the institute of studies and research Scenari Immobiliari, have launched a survey for exploring the new needs and preferences of residents. These needs, which arose in conjunction with the pandemic, concern not only the desire to readapt their homes, but also to change them. In order to investigate these preferences, a questionnaire was developed using the Best to Worst Scaling (BWS). The items consider both modifications of the internal distribution and interventions on the efficiency of domestic appliances and systems components. The study aims to highlight how the spread of the pandemic has changed housing needs and how physical space affects people’s well-being. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.