Urban Natural Capital: A Review of Green Space Benefits, Governance Challenges and Sustainability Pathways

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation has intensified the demand for sustainable city planning, placing natural capital, particularly green infrastructure, at the forefront of resilience-oriented development. This review critically examines the multifaceted contributions of vegetated spaces across ecological, societal, and economic domains. By synthesising international and India-specific literature, including empirical studies from Delhi, Durg, Bilaspur, and Bengaluru, the paper highlights how urban landscapes regulate climate, enhance biodiversity, and support public health and fiscal stability. Key analytical tools such as carbon stock modelling, GIS mapping, and perception surveys reveal the complexity and benefits of integrating ecological systems within urban form. The review also examines governance challenges and spatial inequities that hinder equitable access and long-term viability, advocating for the operationalisation of green infrastructure, Nature-Based Solutions, and SDG-aligned planning. The findings underscore the strategic value of natural systems as actionable assets in shaping climate-adaptive and socially inclusive urban futures.