Analytical assessment of street-level tree canopy in Austrian cities: Identification of re-naturalisation potentials of the urban fabric

Austrian cities, including Graz, face significant gaps in street-level tree canopy coverage, with 54% of areas potentially disconnected from urban greenery. This study reveals that central districts are densely built and lack street trees, while peripheral areas offer more opportunities for re-naturalisation through open-building arrangements. The research used spatial data analytics on georeferenced tree cadastre data and Local Climate Zones (LCZ) maps to identify these gaps in Vienna, Graz, and Linz. It suggests that building-level greening, such as green roofs or facades, could be more effective in central areas, though historic buildings may pose challenges. The study proposes innovative solutions like movable vertical green screens to address these constraints.

Vuckovic, M., Schmidt, J., & Cornel, D. (2023). Analytical assessment of street-level tree canopy in Austrian cities: Identification of re-naturalisation potentials of the urban fabric. Nature-Based Solutions, 3, 100062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2023.100062