Urban Fabric Patterns on Urban Wetland

Abstract

Latin American cities have experienced rapid urbanization and with it the social and environmental challenges caused by urban sprawl. Over the last decades, this increase has led to strong wetland area loss and fragmentation. It has negatively impacted its ecological value and biodiversity, and ignored their ecosystems services. This study analyzes wetland urbanization patterns in the Metropolitan area of Concepción (South of Chile). It proposes a characterization of the urban fabrics using the urbanization variables of density of population and dwellings, distances to roads and city center, and % covered by roads and green areas surrounding the wetland, in order to evaluate which urban variable explains the increase in urbanization, reducing recreation services for the well-being of residents from the different urban fabrics. In Chilean cities, urban wetlands are typically built on with dwellings that are not friendly with the natural environment. The urbanization intensity is modeled with a linear regression ordinary least squares (OLS), and predictions or a model of the dependent variable in terms of its relationships to a set of explanatory urban variables is generated. The built-up area (BA) is the dependent variable, and the variables of densities, distances, green spaces, and roads are independent. A discussion about the effect of spatial urbanization on urban wetlands is achieved, and the urbanization intensity is determined. The study adds to the discussion about spatial patterns and urban processes in urban landscapes; the results are inputs for natural planning and designing for people who intend to use urban wetlands in cities as nature-based solutions.

Keywords