Identifying the barriers to green infrastructure implementation in semi-arid urban areas using the DPSIR framework: A case study of Amman, Jordan

Research has highlighted the role of green infrastructure (GI) in addressing climate change impacts and other societal and environmental challenges in semi-arid urban areas. Regardless of this potential, GI implementation and research in arid climate zones is limited. Accordingly, using Amman, Jorda...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yasmein Okour, Hadeel Shaweesh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:City and Environment Interactions
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590252024000254
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Research has highlighted the role of green infrastructure (GI) in addressing climate change impacts and other societal and environmental challenges in semi-arid urban areas. Regardless of this potential, GI implementation and research in arid climate zones is limited. Accordingly, using Amman, Jordan as a case study, this research aims to investigate the barriers that impede and prevent GI implementation in semi-arid urban areas. The GI barriers are conceptualized using the Driving–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework which was applied on data collected from semi-structured interviews with GI stakeholders in the city. The findings highlighted 17 general implementation barriers grouped into 6 categories. The DPSIR framework specifically highlighted the role of natural and human drivers (e.g. rapid urbanization, institutional capacities, and lacking financial resources) in creating significant barriers to GI implementation. It also illustrated the focus on open spaces and green cover in GI planning in Amman, lacking performance data on GI best practices in semi-arid contexts, and the need of integrated pathways to overcome the identified barriers. The DPSIR framework presents an easy-to-communicate picture of the state of GI implementation in the city that can be utilized by decision-makers, particularly those lacking access to diverse resources. The outcomes of this study enhances our understanding of GI planning in semi-arid urban areas and are beneficial for policymakers and practitioners looking for pathways to promote resilient urban development strategies. Overall, the study calls for further GI research on semi-arid developing contexts.
ISSN:2590-2520