Mapping the Environmental Quality of University Campus Areas for the Needs of Blue-Green Infrastructure Planning

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the methodologies for assessing the environmental quality of areas and to show their application on the territory of the University of West Bohemia campus in Pilsen. The environmental assessment methods of areas for planning the overall development of university campuses have been applied. At the level of cities, coefficients, which enable the evaluation of green ecosystem functions, are most often used, e.g., Biotope Area Factor or Green Space Factor. The evaluation of the campus area makes it possible to compare the environmental quality of the university campus within the territory of the entire city. The runoff coefficient and Helsinki Green Factor were the main environmental parameters for evaluating blue-green infrastructure. Detailed mapping of areas is the basis for responsible assessment of the environmental status and planning of campus development with regard to greenery ecosystem services and rainwater management. Specifically, there are plans to establish green roofs or to change a drainage system. The advantages and limitations of mapping the environmental quality of campus areas for planning the development of blue-green infrastructure on the university campus are discussed. The basic methodological questions of the use of environmental parameters involve the selection of a suitable index for evaluation, a suitable scale for mapping some environmental properties and the application of the results for planning practice.