25th Inter-University Symposium on Asia Megacities, 2024 ULAANBAATAR's Sustainable Green Infrastructure Uranbaigal GONGOR1 1 Urban Planning and Research Institution, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, [email protected] ABSTRACT Nowadays, the creation of "green" urban infrastructure, which is one of the components of the sustainable development of the city, has become a priority issue. The development of such infrastructure in cities is important for the creation of a "green" economy that maximizes the efficiency of ecosystem services. The number of natural disasters has increased 5 times over the last 50 years due to climate change and the increasing frequency and scale of extreme weather events. Behind these numbers, the lives of millions of people, destroyed property, housing, infrastructure, and economic damage will be counted in hundreds of billions. Due to disorderly settlements and wrongful human activities, nature and ecology have undergone anthropogenic changes, land degradation, and desertification. Undoubtedly, the green infrastructure of the city will contribute to solving these problems. Keywords: green infrastructure, sustainable city INTRODUCTION “The concept of "sustainable cities" has progressively expanded and evolved. The integration of sustainable development principles into urban planning practice is known as "sustainable urbanism" - a fusion of urban theory and practice with the goal of securing the long-term sustainability of cities. A sustainable city is characterized by a "compact" urban design (relatively high density), convenient access to public transportation, and a mixed-use spatial layout designed to minimize environmental impact. The positive and negative impacts of cities and peri-urban areas require thorough examination to achieve a balanced and optimized outcome. As building density rises, access to sunlight and wind diminishes, altering the microclimate and escalating air pollution. These adverse effects can be alleviated through strategies such as expanding green spaces, implementing careful selection of building materials, and employing other mitigation measures. Today, nearly half of humanity, totaling 3.5 billion people, resides in cities, with projections estimating 5 billion urban dwellers by 2030. Since 1990, our country has witnessed a significant surge in migration from rural areas to the capital. Despite cities occupying just 3% of the world's territory, they are responsible for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon dioxide emissions. Hence, urban landscapes integrated with green infrastructure play a pivotal role in mitigating adverse anthropogenic impacts, safeguarding ecosystems, and combating environmental crises. Modern big cities are largely devoid of natural ecosystems, prompting efforts to adapt to these
Uranbaigal GONGOR 2 new conditions through the creation of "gray" infrastructure. This includes engineering structures such as dams, retaining walls, and piles, as well as technologies like monitoring systems, early warning systems, and air particulate removal methods. However, the development, construction, and maintenance of large cities demand substantial resources. Moreover, elements of gray infrastructure typically address only a single primary issue at a time. 1. ULAANBAATAR CITY’S SHIFT IN LAND COVER In 2009, Landsat 5 satellite images, and in 2019, Landsat 8 satellite data were classified according to basic land cover parameters: built-up areas, vegetation, water bodies, forests, sand, and soil. During the period from 2009 to 2019, the city's population growth resulted in unplanned urban expansion, leading to a 15,921.9-hectare increase in sand-covered areas. This uncontrolled land use exacerbates land degradation and contributes to desertification. Between 2009 and 2019, analysis of land cover changes in Ulaanbaatar using mediumresolution satellite data reveals significant shifts: the built-up area expanded by 15,222.6 hectares, while vegetation cover decreased by 29,988.6 hectares. Water coverage decreased by 517.6 hectares, and forested regions diminished by the same extent. The overall land area experienced a reduction of 15,260.5 hectares. Meanwhile, sand-covered areas expanded by 15,921.9 hectares, and bare soil increased by 14,622.2 hectares due to decreased vegetation cover. Figure 1. Outcomes of supervised Classification
Uranbaigal GONGOR 3 Table 1. Results of Satellite images Train supervised Classification for between 2009 and 2019. Classification 2009 /ha/ 2019 /ha/ Changes /ha/ Note Built-up area 17415.2 32637.8 15222.6 Intense urban development has resulted from the regular and mechanical increase of the metropolitan population. Vegetation 141208.7 111220.1 -29988.6 Vegetation cover has decreased as a result of urbanization Water 10622.2 10104.6 -517.6 The negative consequences of urbanization and climate change have reduced the aquatic environment Forests 152027.7 136767.2 -15260.5 Due to land usage within forest reserves and forest fires, the amount of forest area has reduced. Sand 877.0 16798.9 15921.9 The incapacity of plants to develop, reduced soil fertility, and increased adverse human effect on the environment have all contributed to the acceleration of desertification. Soil 288752.1 303374.3 14622.2 The amount of bare, barren soil has increased due to the lack of plant cover Total 610902.8 610902.8 0 2. ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND ECOLOGICAL OUTPUT OF URBAN NATURE Intensive urbanization, characterized by rapid expansion and the proliferation of infrastructure, alters the landscape and disrupts natural habitats. As cities grow, land cover changes occur, with vegetation often replaced by built-up areas, roads, and linear structures such as highways and high-voltage transmission lines. These linear structures act as barriers, fragmenting wildlife habitats and isolating populations. Consequently, animals face challenges in accessing essential resources, breeding grounds, and migration routes, leading to declines in biodiversity and genetic diversity. Habitat fragmentation can have far-reaching consequences, including the loss of species diversity, disruptions in ecological processes, and increased vulnerability to environmental disturbances. Wildlife populations become more susceptible to local extinctions, reduced
Uranbaigal GONGOR 4 genetic variability, and the spread of diseases. Moreover, fragmentation impedes the natural flow of species, limiting their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions and reducing resilience to threats such as climate change. In urban areas, the impacts of intensive development on wildlife are particularly pronounced. As green spaces diminish and natural habitats shrink, urban wildlife faces heightened competition for resources and encounters increased human-wildlife conflicts. Furthermore, the expansion of urban infrastructure further exacerbates habitat fragmentation, isolating patches of greenery and exacerbating the loss of biodiversity. Recognizing these challenges, urban planners and conservationists emphasize the importance of incorporating ecological considerations into urban development plans. Ecological corridors, or greenways, are essential components of such plans, facilitating the movement of wildlife across fragmented landscapes. These corridors provide vital connections between remaining patches of habitat, allowing species to access resources, breed, and migrate more freely. By promoting connectivity and enhancing habitat quality, ecological corridors help mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on wildlife populations and promote ecological resilience in urban environments. In the context of Ulaanbaatar's development plan until 2040, the integration of ecological solutions is crucial for safeguarding biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of urban ecosystems. This may include measures such as preserving and restoring natural habitats, incorporating green spaces and wildlife-friendly infrastructure into urban design, and implementing strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Through proactive planning and concerted conservation efforts, Ulaanbaatar can strive to balance urban development with the conservation of its natural heritage, creating a more resilient and harmonious urban environment for both people and wildlife.
Uranbaigal GONGOR 5 These locations were identified through rigorous field assessments conducted on-site. Following comprehensive evaluations, it was determined that the primary site, serving as a conduit between the Bogd Khan Natural restricted area and the Khan Khent Natural restricted area, exhibited optimal conditions conducive to facilitating the migration patterns of mountain herds. Figure 2. Ecological corridors for wild animals Figure 3. Area Between Urgakh Naran District and Khonkhor
Uranbaigal GONGOR 6 The secondary site, establishing a linkage between Hustain Nature Park and Nagalhaan Natural restricted area, has been identified as the most favorable locale for ungulate migration. However, it also poses the risk of grassland degradation and exacerbating desertification due to its specific environmental dynamics. The third location, which stands out as the most favorable for steppe migration, encompasses the agricultural lands linking Hustain Nature Park with Khan Khent Natural restricted area. Figure 4. Between Nalaikh District and Bagakhangai District Figure 5. Around 361 crossing
Uranbaigal GONGOR 7 Based on the research findings, the ecological expansion of Ulaanbaatar city is slated to encompass three specific locations. Among these designated sites, the ecological gateway solution linking the Bogd Khan Strictly Protected Area with the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, initially deemed the most viable, was conceptualized as follows. Figure 6. Ecological corridors for Wildlife Through Ulaanbaatar city
Uranbaigal GONGOR 8 The fragmentation of wildlife habitats and the resultant limitation of migration routes necessitate the construction of costly ecological corridors. Therefore, facilitating unrestricted movement for wildlife stands out as one of the paramount concerns within the realm of urban blue and green infrastructure. A crucial facet of urban blue and green infrastructure entails establishing an interconnected network of areas with specific ecological parameters. This strategy aims to uphold biodiversity by safeguarding and enhancing the integrity of these designated zones. For sustainable urban development, it is imperative to delineate areas that either encourage, restrict, or outright prohibit urbanization. This delineation is crucial for guiding informed decision-making processes and ensuring the balanced growth of urban environments while safeguarding natural resources and ecosystems. For Ulaanbaatar City: Urbanization promotion zone: 119927 ha Urbanization restriction zone: 99753 ha Urbanization prohibition zone: covering 202102 hectares. Figure 7. The Migration route of mountain animals connecting the Bogd Khan Strictly Protected Area with the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area
Uranbaigal GONGOR 9 3. URBAN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE One of the pivotal metrics underscoring the progress of contemporary megacities lies in the prevalence of green infrastructure, notably exemplified by the proportion of green buildings. In the sprawling 46,000-hectare expanse earmarked for urbanization in Ulaanbaatar, the available green space falls significantly short, registering a mere one-tenth of the requisite level relative to the city's population density. Moreover, it's notable that green amenities lining the streets of Ulaanbaatar comprise a mere 11% of the total green infrastructure within the city. Urban planning and construction norms and regulations prescribe that urban greening should be organized according to three main categories: public use, limited purpose, and special purpose. Includes below: Public horticulture encompasses parks for public use in cities and villages, groves within gardens, high-quality gardens situated in residential and industrial districts, garden areas, garden streets, tree-lined streets, and grassy streets. Limited-purpose horticulture encompasses landscaping for schools, kindergartens, nurseries, hospitals, safety strips along road and railway constructions, as well as landscaping for civil and public buildings. Special-purpose horticulture comprises botanical gardens, protective zones delineating residential areas from industrial zones, street landscaping, greenery in ravines, vegetation aimed at mitigating soil erosion and sand migration, as well as protective plantings along riverbanks and lakeshores sheltered from intense winds, sand, and snow drifts. This category emphasizes the inclusion of green facilities as part of its scope. Figure 8. Areas for Promoting Urbanization zone and restriction zone/ prohibition zone
Uranbaigal GONGOR 10 According to the current general plan of Ulaanbaatar, the city's green facilities are categorized as follows: Public Parks and green spaces: o City green spaces and Parks o District green spaces and Parks Greenery Along Streets and roads Limited-Purpose Green Space As depicted in this image, as of 2017, the city's green space spans 473.3 hectares. Among these, 209.1 hectares are designated as owned parks, while 100.9 hectares comprise district parks and gardens. Additionally, 73.3 hectares are allocated for special-purpose green facilities, with an additional 90 hectares designated for limited-purpose green areas. Research indicates that the current green space per person stands at 3.6 square meters, which falls short of the ideal for a city of this scale. According to the general development plan of Ulaanbaatar city, this figure is projected to increase to 15-20 square meters by 2020 and to 30 square meters by 2030. There exists a discrepancy in the reported figures regarding the availability of green spaces, stemming from researchers employing diverse methodologies for conducting censuses of urban green areas, lacking a unified methodological guideline. Nevertheless, these numerical discrepancies fail to align with the norms and standards outlined in BNbD 30-01-04. In the report of the "Spatial Analysis of Green Space and Land Use Planning of Ulaanbaatar City" project, funded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2021, it is estimated that the quantity of green space per individual is 4.8 square meters. Regarding the green space census methodology employed in the project, the area was delineated through the digitization of Google Earth satellite imagery utilizing various software tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS. Moving forward, there arises a necessity for the establishment of a standardized methodology for the inventorying of green infrastructure. 4. CONCLUSIONS The city of Ulaanbaatar confronts the challenge of establishing a sustainable green infrastructure that addresses climate change, rapid urbanization, population growth, and various Figure 8. Green area in Ulaanbaatar
Uranbaigal GONGOR 11 socioeconomic factors. To surmount this challenge, it is imperative to consider the factors outlined in this article and devise strategies for developing a resilient green urban infrastructure. Optimizing space for the expansion of suburban and urban green infrastructure and enhancing the associated strategy are pivotal steps toward fostering sustainable development. Follow through with the execution of the general plan for the development of Ulaanbaatar city, ensuring thorough monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of its implementation to facilitate informed decision-making and course corrections as needed. Develop manuals and methodologies essential for conducting inventories of green structures, ensuring standardized and accurate data collection processes. A key component of every city's master plan is ensuring ecological balance, or the state in which human activity coexists with nature. Naturally occurring ecosystems and breeding patterns are disrupted by the division of wildlife habitats by linear infrastructure. A financial and time commitment is required to rectify this condition. Ensuring that the delicate balance between nature and ecology is preserved for future generations is a responsibility that falls on all urban planners. REFERENCES 1. New urbanizm LLC, "Urban green master plan of Ulaanbaatar", 2018. 2. UPRI, "Concept of the master plan for the development of Ulaanbaatar until 2040", 2019. 3. UPRI, "Draft general plan for the development of Ulaanbaatar until 2040", 2020. 4. UPRI, "Research work on the general plan of the development of Ulaanbaatar until 2040", 2020. 5. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, "Urban green space/Land use planning spatial analysis in Ulaanbaatar city", 2021.