Social-Ecological Justice in Cities: Mapping Vulnerability for Fairer Urban Planning
How can cities plan green infrastructures that are fair as well as efficient? A recent ICTA-UAB study developed in the framework of the European INTERLACE project and led by Johannes Langemeyer, assesses socio-ecological vulnerability in Krakow, Poland, using a novel participatory and spatial approach.
The research highlights how co-created, indicator-based maps of hazards and sensitivities can guide equitable urban planning and nature-based solutions (NBS) that address both human and ecological needs.
The new study, published in npj Urban Sustainability, combines spatial data, stakeholder engagement, and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to assess how urban hazards (like flooding, air pollution, and drought) intersect with social and ecological sensitivities.
By integrating perspectives from planners, municipalities, and NGOs, the study identifies 10 key urban vulnerabilities and reveals where the most pressing needs for intervention lie. The resulting maps show how vulnerabilities are unevenly distributed across the MK, particularly in urban centers like Krakow, where disadvantaged communities face compounded risks.
Departing from traditional efficiency-driven and ecosystem service-oriented planning paradigms, the study advocates for a justice centered approach to urban greening that explicitly integrates social inclusion and ecological integrity as foundational principles of spatial planning. The methodology has already influenced the 2024–2030 Climate Strategy for the Krakow region and offers a replicable model for cities worldwide.
This study was developed within the framework of the INTERLACE project, a European research initiative aimed at supporting cities and regions in restoring and connecting urban ecosystems through nature-based solutions (NBS), in collaboration with local actors in the Krakow Metropolitan Area.
Reference
Langemeyer, J., Busse, S., Arabas, A., Benati, G., Bergier, T., Maestre-Andrés, S., & Melo, I. (2025). Social-ecological justice in cities: a spatial vulnerability approach. npj Urban Sustainability, 5, Article 46. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00234-8