The impact of real estate development on green infrastructure: Assessing ecological connectivity in urban networks

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master_Zander_Selina_2025.pdf (13.87 MB)

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School of Engineering | Master's thesis
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2025-05-25

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Urban Studies and Planning in Real Estate Economics

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Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning

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en

Pages

78

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Abstract

Urbanization poses significant challenges to biodiversity and ecological resilience, as expanding cities often fragment natural habitats and disrupt ecological networks. In this context, green infrastructure (GI) - a network of green spaces such as parks, forests, and natural corridors - has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing ecological continuity in urban environments. As cities grow and densify, understanding how GI interacts with urban development becomes increasingly important for guiding sustainable planning. This thesis explores the spatial relationship between GI and real estate development, focusing on analyzing how recent development patterns have affected ecological connectivity. The thesis applies a mixed-methods approach to investigate the interaction between green infrastructure and real estate development in two case study areas of Helsinki: Malmi and Viikki. The study applies a GIS-based spatial analysis. Tools such as kernel density analysis, landscape metrics, and Zonation-based conservation prioritization are used to assess the spatial distribution, fragmentation, and connectivity of GI over time. The findings reveal that GI plays a critical role in maintaining ecological connectivity in urban environments, but its effectiveness is highly dependent on spatial configuration and development patterns. In Viikki, GI remains relatively cohesive despite urban pressure, while in Malmi, fragmentation and built-up encroachment significantly weaken ecological networks. These differences highlight the importance of spatial planning and policy in ensuring that urban development supports, rather than undermines, ecological resilience.

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Falkenbach, Heidi

Thesis advisor

Falkenbach, Heidi

Keywords

green infrastructure, real estate development, ecological networks, urban ecological networks, spatial analysis, case study

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202506104431

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