Greenspaces 107fewestspecies): sealed (asphalt) parking place; parking places (lot); river bank;
intensive grassland (mowed); market garden; and avenue. The highest species
richness for these groups was found in the following six habitats (in order, begin-
ning with most species): wasteland; swamp woodland; moist meadow; gravel pit;
parkland; and railway site. Thus, in general, the most species-impoverished loca-
tions are the most intensively designed, built, and managed, whereas several of
therichest biodiversity sites are the least designed, least managed, and most
overlooked locations in a city.
Astill-broader view of greenspaces recognizes patterns in three somewhat-
distinct major areas of an urban region (Table4.1)(Spirn 1984 , Gilbert 1991 ,
Goddeet al.1995,LynchandHack1996,Houck and Cody2000,Lagro2001,
Ishikawa2001,Greenberg2002,Hough2004,Wein2006).First, the city and
metropolitan area are primarily characterized by a broad-scale pattern of large
greenspaces, within which a fine-scale pattern of small greenspaces is nes-
tled. Distinct corridors and patches dominate both spatial scales. Second, the
metro-area border and inner urban-region ring have an exceedingly complex
greenspace pattern, created by wide and medium-width corridors combined
with large and medium-size patches. Finally, the outer urban-region ring mani-
festsabroad-scale pattern of large greenspaces composed of corridors, networks,
patches, and matrix, enhanced by a fine-scale pattern of small corridors, net-
works, and patches.
The 75 greenspace types recognized are familiar in cities worldwide
(Table4.1). In a few cases the same names appear in different areas where they
appear and function quite differently. Numerous other less-common greenspace
types could be listed (Chapter5), including central-city palace grounds (Tokyo),
lava bed (Portland, USA), barrier across river (London), large mine-waste areas
(Johannesburg), and cave sites (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) that are rarely present
in cities.
Instead of attempting to list the ecological functions and values to society of
all these greenspace types, representative functions and values for planning are
selected. Although these generic patterns apply widely, each greenspace in each
urban region also has distinctive functions and values which can and should be
delineated in planning. Furthermore, an array of spatially separate or connected
greenspaces is always present that functions as a system connected by flows
and movements. Consequently both the individual greenspace and the broader
system are important to planning and society. Greenspace functions and values
are illustrated for the three portions of an urban region: (1) city and metropolitan
area; (2) metro-area border and inner urban-region ring; and (3) outer urban-
region ring. For each portion, broad-scale patterns are introduced and then fine-
scale patterns.