Analysis of contemporary trends in green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning

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Prospero Cristhian Onofre Zapata-Mendoza

Abstract

Accelerated urbanization in Latin America, together with territorial inequality, climate vulnerability, and persistent infrastructure deficits, has positioned green infrastructure as a strategic component for rethinking sustainable urban planning. The objective of this study was to analyze contemporary trends in green infrastructure in Latin America, considering its contribution to climate resilience, territorial equity, and integrated urban systems management. Methodologically, an exploratory bibliographic review was conducted based on scientific articles, reviews, books, institutional reports, and public policy documents published preferably between 2014 and 2025, organized through thematic analytical categories. The results show that green infrastructure has moved beyond an ornamental conception and has become a multifunctional network linked to sustainable drainage, thermal regulation, biodiversity conservation, public health, public space, and environmental justice. The discussion indicates that its benefits depend on quality, accessibility, maintenance, financing, and governance, since its implementation faces institutional, territorial, and budgetary barriers. It is concluded that green infrastructure has high transformative potential when incorporated as a structural, integrated, and socially equitable urban policy.

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Zapata-Mendoza, P. C. O. (2025). Analysis of contemporary trends in green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning. Scientific Journal Perspectives on Knowledge, 2(1), 57-72. https://doi.org/10.55813/gaea/revistacec/v2/n1/30

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