Strategic Financial Management Approaches for Optimization and Improvement of Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study of Isfahan

Urban green spaces (UGS) not only enhance urban aesthetics but also play a significant role in air purification and noise pollution reduction, making them a fundamental element in urban management. However, many citizens and urban planners often overlook the economic importance of these spaces, perceiving them as non-revenue-generating assets. This is while, with increasing population and urban development, the need for such spaces becomes more pronounced. Establishing a sustainable financial model to cover urban costs is a key factor in urban sustainability, which, in addition to cost savings, enables investment in the development of urban infrastructure and green spaces. Plants with diverse capabilities can address various societal needs and even fulfill other urban management objectives. In this study, various criteria for the sustainability of green spaces among the dominant trees and shrubs in Isfahan have been examined. Items such as drought resistance, pest and disease resistance, pollution absorption, leaf and flower diversity, and aesthetic appeal of plant species have been assessed, along with the longevity of species and their maintenance costs. Palm trees, western oak, bitter olive, hackberry, and Shiraz cypress showed the highest value in terms of drought and pest resistance and longevity, while catalpa, viburnum, pride of Barbados, and mulberry demonstrated the highest pollution absorption. The ranking of plants using the AHP method led to cost reduction and increased productivity of green spaces.