Enhancing Sustainable Cities Through Comparative Carbon Sink Benefits of Blue-Green Spaces: Evidence from Multi-Source Data

Abstract

Cities, characterized by the coexistence of carbon emissions and sinks, face escalating climate challenges. This study advances carbon sink research by examining integrated blue-green space benefits, emphasizing neighbourhood scales as critical nexus points for intervention, combining ArcGIS and quantitative methods, we measured carbon contributions from green (e.g., vegetation) and blue spaces (e.g., water bodies), identifying green spaces—particularly arboreal vegetation—as dominant carbon sinks. Spatial aggregation of blue-green elements was identified as key determinants. We propose neighborhood-scale climate-adaptive strategies to enhance carbon sink performance and support sustainable urban development.