Green Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, and Urban Wellbeing: Assessing Community Perceptions and Policy Implications

Abstract

Urban green infrastructure is increasingly recognized as an essential component of sustainable urban development because it can support ecological processes, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute to human wellbeing. However, the effectiveness of green infrastructure depends on more than the availability of parks and vegetation; it is also shaped by accessibility, environmental quality, safety, maintenance, community participation, and the equitable distribution of benefits. This research examines the relationship between green infrastructure, environmental sustainability, community perceptions, and urban wellbeing through an integrated conceptual and empirical framework. The study draws on existing research concerning urban green spaces, ecosystem services, environmental justice, public health, and sustainable urban planning. A mixed-methods research design is proposed, combining a structured questionnaire, stakeholder interviews, environmental observations, and spatial assessment. The study identifies accessibility, perceived safety, maintenance quality, environmental awareness, and community participation as important explanatory variables, while physical, psychological, social, and environmental wellbeing constitute the principal outcome dimensions. The framework proposes six hypotheses for empirical testing and outlines appropriate statistical and qualitative analytical techniques. Particular attention is given to inequalities in access, the limitations of perception-based measurements, and the possibility that urban greening may contribute to displacement when environmental investment is not accompanied by housing protections. The article recommends integrating ecological indicators with community feedback, prioritizing underserved neighbourhoods, strengthening participatory governance, and establishing long-term maintenance and monitoring mechanisms. The proposed approach offers a foundation for empirical research and policy evaluation aimed at making urban green infrastructure environmentally effective, socially inclusive, and responsive to community needs.