A Review of the Effects of Urban and Green Space Forms on the Carbon Budget Using a Landscape Sustainability Framework

Abstract

Urban areas and green spaces are significant atmospheric carbon sources and sinks. Spatial planning is crucial for improving the urban carbon budget. However, there are many uncertainties due to the diversity and complexity of the effects of urban and green space forms on the carbon budget. As a result, the role of urban areas and green spaces in emission reduction and carbon sink increases remains ambiguous. We use a landscape sustainability framework and systematically review the literature from 2002 to 2022 to elucidate the interaction between urban and green space forms and the carbon budget. We focus on regional and landscape scales. Nine landscape planning indicators affecting urban area carbon emissions, four indicators affecting green space carbon sinks, and three indicators affecting the urban–green space ecotonal relationship and the carbon budget are derived. We analyze the causes of the differences between the studies and discuss the influences of the indicators on emission reduction, carbon sink increases, and sustainable development. We summarize the design and research of urban and green spaces and the urban–green space ecotone and provide suggestions for carbon emission reduction, carbon sink increases, and research directions for future studies.