We are undeniably living in an era of enormous environmental crisis with climate change and species extinction as the most outstanding features of it. These issues challenge our societal systems and relationship with nature. In addition, more than half of the planet’s population live in urban areas, where environmental problems tend to culminate and where counteractive efforts should be concentrated. How can landscape architecture solve these urgent issues?

This dissertation provides new scientific knowledge concentrating on collaborative planning and design of urban socio-ecological systems. It presents how the co-creative processes of planning and design of green infrastructures can be used as a platform to increase both their multifunctionality and the joint understanding of urban socio-ecological systems as a basis of sustainability.

The research presents an accelerating model towards sustainable social ecological systems as a result of four case studies. The model can be used as a concrete tool to boost co-creation in the planning and design of multifunctional green infrastructures that contribute to climate adaptation and urban biodiversity.

We are undeniably living in an era of enormous environmental crisis with climate change and species extinction as the most outstanding features of it. These issues challenge our societal systems and relationship with nature. In addition, more than half of the planet’s population live in urban areas, where environmental problems tend to culminate and where counteractive efforts should be concentrated. How can landscape architecture solve these urgent issues?

This dissertation provides new scientific knowledge concentrating on collaborative planning and design of urban socio-ecological systems. It presents how the co-creative processes of planning and design of green infrastructures can be used as a platform to increase both their multifunctionality and the joint understanding of urban socio-ecological systems as a basis of sustainability.

The research presents an accelerating model towards sustainable social ecological systems as a result of four case studies. The model can be used as a concrete tool to boost co-creation in the planning and design of multifunctional green infrastructures that contribute to climate adaptation and urban biodiversity.