Sabina Chiaka Osuji (AUTHOR)
Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria
Corresponding author: chiakanne@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: Green infrastructure is the interconnected network of natural and engineered systems that provide ecological, social, and environmental benefits. It plays a crucial role in strategic land use planning in Imo State by providing a network of natural and semi-natural areas that deliver a wide range of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Land use planning is the ordering and regulating of land use efficiently and ethically, thus preventing land use conflicts. This study investigates the role of green infrastructure in strategic land use planning. The objectives are to examine how green infrastructure plays its role in strategic land use planning, identify the challenges of green infrastructure in land use planning, and recommend key strategies to improve green infrastructure in strategic land use planning. A questionnaire survey was the main instrument for data collection. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used. The sample size was 420. The study revealed that green infrastructure is increasingly recognized as a crucial element in building resilient cities that can withstand the impacts of climate change, urbanization, and other environmental challenges. It provides habitats for wildlife, connecting fragmented ecosystems and supporting biodiversity conservation, improving air quality, as well as improving human health and well-being. The study recommends that green infrastructure be integrated into planning so that communities can create more sustainable and resilient urban environments. It should be strategically planned and integrated into land use plans to ensure connectivity and maximize its benefits; it should be integrated into long-term strategic planning to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness.
Keywords: Resilience; Green Infrastructure; Planning; Sustainability