Title: Analysis of the role of wetland parks in urban sustainability: a case study of Suzhou, China

Authors: Lihui Zhou; John Joseph Puthenkalam

Addresses: Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Japan ' Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Japan

Abstract: Wetlands play an important role in a sustainable urban future. It not only provides variously ecological services to the city's environment, but also promotes the transmission and development of indigenous culture. A clear understanding of the ecological function and cultural value of urban wetland parks is critical to driving urban wetland conservation. To date, little literature has addressed the significant role of wetland parks in urban development. To fill this gap, this article applies case research methods to analyse the ecological, cultural, and educational functions of wetland parks from a sustainable urban development perspective. Taking Suzhou wetland parks as an example, this article not only shows how Suzhou has developed new wetland restoration approaches based on its own specific conditions to improve the ecological and cultural functions of wetland parks, but also examines the broader impacts of the development of Suzhou wetland parks for a sustainable future of the city.

Keywords: wetland parks; biodiversity conservation; water purification; indigenous culture; environment education; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2023.136301

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2023 Vol.22 No.4, pp.375 - 392

Received: 21 Mar 2022
Accepted: 05 Apr 2023
Published online: 26 Jan 2024 *

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