Green Infrastructure morphology: Integrating urban morphological perspectives for sustainable urban development
Lixu Liu, Garyfalia Palaiologou, Robert Schmidt-III
Abstract
Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly recognised as a vital component of sustainable urban development, offering ecosystem services such as climate regulation, biodiversity enhancement, and spatial connectivity. Despite its potential, the spatial and functional integration of GI with urban morphology remains underexplored. This study introduces the Green Infrastructure Morphology (GIM) framework, a conceptual tool that bridges GI perspectives—structure, function, spatial scale, and planning intention—with urban morphology dimensions—urban elements, orders, agents, and processes. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines bibliometric analysis of 210 articles and qualitative thematic analysis to identify research trends and theoretical intersections. Key findings reveal recurring themes, including urban cooling, resilience, and green-blue networks, mapped within the GIM framework to guide sustainable urban design. While the framework is conceptual, it provides a reflective tool for urban planners and policymakers to evaluate GI integration across scales and contexts. Future research should focus on empirical validation and case studies to expand its practical applications in fostering resilient urban environments.