
Colloquium
Same Green, Different Dimensions: A comparative study on Urban Green metrics
By Nathalie Reyenga
Abstract
This study focuses on Urban Green (UG) in the cities of Utrecht and Wageningen. It aims to extend traditional two-dimensional assessments that focus only on surface coverage. By incorporating the vertical dimension of vegetation using a combination of satellite imagery and LiDAR data, this research examines whether the inclusion of height and volume changes the spatial distribution and perceived inequalities of UG. Three methods are developed and compared: a 2D coverage method, a layered method, and a volumetric method. Results show that the spatial spread of UG differs significantly across these methods, with the layered and volumetric approaches revealing greater variation. Notably, incorporating the third dimension leads to increased spatial inequality in UG distribution.
A case study in Utrecht further explores the relationship between green metrics and demographic characteristics. The strength and nature of these relationships shift depending on the metrics used, sometimes becoming stronger or weaker. This highlights the importance of metric selection. Overall, this study demonstrates that different methods for measuring UG yield different outcomes. Future research and policy should carefully consider which dimension of UG is included in assessments based on the research objectives.