Existing approaches to urban planning frequently address urban morphology, green infrastructure, ecological processes, ecosystem functions

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 3 journals. Those papers have been cited 12 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Integrated Ecological Framework of Urban Green Spaces (2026) · Forests · doi

  Existing approaches to urban planning frequently address urban morphology, green infrastructure, ecological processes, ecosystem functions, ecosystem services, and urban resilience as partially separate domains. There is a need to better integrate ecological principles into urban planning. The hierarchical relationships linking urban form, green infrastructure, ecological processes, and ecosystem functioning are not fully explained.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: existing approaches urban planning frequently address morphology green
• Integrated Ecological Framework of Urban Green Spaces (2026) · Forests · doi

  Develop measurable indicators for urban morphology, green infrastructure, ecological processes, ecological functions, ecosystem services and resilience-related outcomes; Empirical validation is required across different climatic, geographical and socio-economic contexts using methods such as GIS analysis, remote sensing, field measurements, ecological monitoring and comparative urban studies; Test whether the relationships proposed in IEF-UGS are supported by empirical evidence, with particular attention to non-linear relationships and interactions; Further integrate governance, socio-economic conditions and environmental justice into the framework

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: develop measurable indicators urban morphology green infrastructure ecological
• Assessing Geological and Climatic Pressures on Human Settlements Through the Urban Geo-Climate Footprint (UGF): Application to 21 Regional Capital Italian Cities (2026) · Urban Science · doi

  Conventional sustainability indicators mainly focus on anthropogenic impacts on the environment, while the role of subsurface conditions and physical processes shaping urban vulnerability remains underrepresented. The influence of subsurface conditions and physical processes on urban vulnerability is often fragmented across sectoral analyses. There is a need for a structured and operational framework that evaluates the influence of geological and climatic processes on urban areas.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: conventional sustainability indicators mainly focus anthropogenic impacts environment
• Towards a Regenerative and Climate-Resilient Built Environment: Greening Lessons from European Cities (2025) · Buildings · cited 12× · doi

  develop measurable indicators aligned with the SDGs, create simulation models to assess ecological and social performance, and analyze real-world case studies where the integration of greening, innovative materials, and intelligent technologies yields tangible results - develop more accurate indicators and dynamic monitoring systems capable of assessing the real impacts of greening strategies over time on climate resilience, urban well-being, and biodiversity - explore the potential of digital tools-such as GIS, digital twins, and artificial intelligence-in supporting the planning, management, and simulation of resilient green urban scenarios

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: develop measurable indicators aligned sdgs create simulation models

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