Attractive cities and communities
Green infrastructure provides complex amenities to support great livable cities and promotes social cohesion and equity.


Ecological Goods and Services (EGS)
EGS are the natural processes that maintain a sustainable life support system. The concept of EGS is gaining recognition as we come to terms with the need to recognize natural resources and natural areas for the value that they give us. EGS includes clean water, fresh air, carbon sequestration, our food and fibers. In considering that the bulk of our economic system is based upon natural resources in our environment, it is becoming more apparent that natural areas and ecological functions perform services for humanity at a cost that is much less than those that we can engineer. Currently, the value of EGS is only captured in be economic framework through the value of the commodity. We need to determine how to recognize our “Natural Capital” into the economic framework. EGS like soil, clean air, fresh water or biodiversity, are not usually reflected in accounting practices - nor are our impacts (i.e. ecosystem degradation) on EGS taken into account.

Green infrastructure reduces corporate and individual resource use and expenditures through transit, biking, walking, gardening, local energy generation, water harvest and re-use.

A tool for valuing ecosystem services: http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org/InVEST.html
A website with news and tracking of ecosystem services markets: http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/


Habitat and Biological Diversity
Green infrastructure protects and connects natural habitats, provides for essential flows with ecological "stepping stones" and corridors, reduces barriers such as pollutant sources and altered water regimes. Its principles promote biological diversity – or biodiversity – which is the great variety of life we find on Earth, and the natural patterns it forms. It is the variability among plants, animals and microorganisms and the ecosystems they inhabit. Biodiversity is the diversity within a species, among species, and comparative diversity among ecosystems. Biodiversity includes: Genetic diversity - diversity of genes, of a population or individuals, within a same species; · Species diversity - diversity between species in an ecosystem; · Ecosystem diversity - diversity at higher levels of organization, the variety of ecosystems on Earth.


Human health: Social and psychological well-being and connection to nature
Green infrastructure improve human health through activity, better air quality, contact with nature, etc. The role of green infrastructure in promoting public health, education, and a better quality of life has been discussed in detail in a number of forums. Green spaces and green infrastructures have been examined in terms of post-operative recovery, early years education, and in terms of promoting more cohesive places to live, work and recreate. A large literature exists in Europe outlining the role of green infrastructure in promoting social inclusion and the development of Sustainable Communities especially in high density or post-industrial environments.

As a facilitator of movement for human populations green infrastructure is proposed as a way of motivating, encouraging, and engaging people with the landscapes around them. Consequently, the development of green infrastructure resources that are accessible, connected, and functional spaces can provide cultural, ecological, and psychological between people and the environment. This process has also been debated as encouraging social inclusion and communal cohesion, as well as lowering anti-social behaviour.

An article in the journal The Lancet Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: an observational population study

The research of the Countryside Agency and Groundwork (2005) in their report the Countryside in and Around Towns (CIAT) outlined ten areas they felt that more appropriate and innovative green space or green infrastructure development could deliver a myriad of benefits for local, regional, and national populations. The areas covered the following themes;

i) A bridge to the country, ii) a gateway to the town, iii) a health centre, iv) a classroom, v) a recycling and renewable energy centre, vi) a productive landscape, vii) a cultural legacy, viii) a place for sustainable living, viiii) an engine for regeneration, x) a nature reserve.

Countryside Agency & Groundwork (2005) A vision for the Countryside in and Around Towns. http://www.groundwork.org.uk/upload/publications/publication3.pdf

Nature Makes Us Nicer People, New Study Says, Treehugger, 10.05.2009

Dangerous by Design from Transportation for America

Environmental and Policy Determinants of Physical Activity in the United States
The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits
Benefits of Trees and Urban Forests: A Research List by ACTrees


Economic development
First of all green infrastructure stimulates and sustains local economies. The development of inclusionary green infrastructure resources promotes the use of the landscape in economic terms. With a landscapes that is easily accessible and encourages use people start to integrate these areas into their daily lives. These spaces subsequently offer economic opportunities for developing small business or innovation. Green infrastructure also contribute to the health of a population lowering the need primary medical care, and promoting a healthier working population who take less days of work.


Education
The landscape can be used extensively to promote by outdoor living and schooling for all age groups. The outdoor classroom has been a key innovation in Scandinavia teaching for young children allowing them to learn through play and an active engagement in the landscapes that surround them.


Local and global climate
Green infrastructure reduces cooling energy needs, mitigates heat island, sequesters carbon in soil and vegetation, etc.